Drug Fans: More Teens Smoke Weed Than Cigarettes; The War On Drugs Has Failed [View all]

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http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/05/drug_fans_more.php




A study released yesterday shows evidence of something most of us already know: teenagers like smoking weed. However, the study shows that teens apparently like smoking weed significantly more now than they did two years ago. Meanwhile, teens abusing other -- government regulated -- drugs is on the decline, which has weed advocates declaring the "war on drugs" a failure (again).

The study, the 23rd annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, shows that teen marijuana use is up, with 27-percent of teens (about 1.5 million) admitting to smoking weed in the past month. That's up from 19-percent in 2008.

In contrast, according to the Drug Policy Alliance, teens who admitted to smoking cigarettes in the past month is on the decline, with 22-percent of teens copping to smoking in the past month. That's down from 27-percent last year.

"Heavy use of marijuana -- particularly beginning in adolescence -- brings the risk of serious problems and our data show it is linked to involvement with alcohol and other drugs as well. Kids who begin using drugs or alcohol as teenagers are more likely to struggle with substance use disorders when compared to those who start using after the teenage years."
Source: redOrbit (http://s.tt/1aJVx)"

"Parents are talking about cocaine and heroin, things that scare them," said Pasierb. "Parents are not talking about prescription drugs and marijuana. They can't wink and nod. They need to be stressing the message that this behavior is unhealthy."
Source: redOrbit (http://s.tt/1aJVx)

"Parents are talking about cocaine and heroin, things that scare them," said Pasierb. "Parents are not talking about prescription drugs and marijuana. They can't wink and nod. They need to be stressing the message that this behavior is unhealthy."
Source: redOrbit (http://s.tt/1aJVx

The problem, according to the DPA: the prohibitionist approach to marijuana policy isn't working, and the "war on drugs" is a failure.