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| It's Not Your Fathers Joint |
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Posted by FoM on April 14, 2002 at 12:04:55 PT By Heidi Hottinger Source: Sun Link 
Think of drug abuse, and you think of the growing pres-ence of meth labs, the occasional bust in the news. Nobody wants their child experimenting with methamphetamines, but marijuana is the drug of choice for the most critical segment of our population, elementary and high school students. Its danger to the future of these children isn't as widely appreciated. In the 2001 "Kitsap Kids" survey, 80 percent of adults and 75 percent of teens agreed with the statement, "I believe marijuana use is harmful." But marijuana use among Washington students in grades 8-12 has more than doubled since 1992 (Washington State Survey of Adolescent Health Behaviors 2001). Fifty-five percent of 12th graders report having used marijuana. Alcohol was the previous "drug of choice" for this age group. In 1993, the ratio of adolescents receiving treatment for alcohol versus marijuana abuse was 3:1. Four years later, these substances reversed order. What happened? According to Sheila Walters, guidance counselor at North Kitsap High School, and Beth Mosley, intervention specialist for North Kitsap and Spectrum, the attitude toward marijuana use by students and parents alike demonstrated a notable shift. "Students are more willing to come in and talk about use, it's more accepted among their peers, there's less discussion now about a friend using, and many parents are less concerned than they used to be," said Walters. "Parents used to say, 'It's only beer,' and now I hear, 'It's only pot.'" Mosley has encountered this outlook among parents of student users, too: "A parent will tell me, I need you to know that I smoke pot, and I see nothing wrong with it." she said. The generation that experimented freely with marijuana. in the '60s and '70s, is now the parent generation. But marijuana today is definitely "not your father's joint." Levels of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, are significantly higher and more potent than in the past. Whereas in 1974 THC content averaged less than 1 percent, today's marijuana THC concentration ranges from 8 to 28 percent. This higher concentration of a mind-altering substance results in more dramatic effects on the user, and in the case of students, on the academic performance, as well as overall health. In the September 2000 study, "Impact of Peer Substance Use on Middle School Performance in Washington State", even low levels of alcohol and drug use were linked to lower individual Washington Assessment of Student learning ( WASL ) test scores for middle school students. Students whose peers had near-zero Involvement with drinking and drugs scored on average 18 points higher on the state reading test, and 45 points higher in math, than students whose peers had a moderate level of use. Educators aren't ignoring these statistics. Education programs are at the heart of tackling both alcohol and drug abuse in the schools, and availability of counseling and treatment is increasing. Mosley now works as an interventionist directly for the school district, as opposed to covering the entire county The tone of substance abuse education has taken a turn. "Just say no," is out, and education on values and informed decision making is in. "If I say 'don't do it, it's bad,' kids aren't going to buy that, not when they see their parents using alcohol and living successfully. But if I give them all the information and lead them, to make their own decisions, if the student looks at their actions and the results and decides that not using is the smart thing to do, that's when we have success," said Walters. Substance abuse education now includes detailed information on the affects of alcohol or marijuana on the brain, on the ability to make decisions, and the consequences of those decisions. Students who approach a counselor for help, or questions, receive confidential assistance in examining their behavior, and referral for treatment or additional education. While peer influence is the leading factor in whether or not students will experiment with illegal substances, the No. 1 factor in a student's choice to not use remains repeated, stated parental disapproval. 'Talking with their kids, calling a party to see if there's an adult there, and not supporting use, that's the most important thing parents can do," said Walters. "Unfortunately there are parties where parents are there, and they're providing. They think that makes it safe, but it's illegal. Call it what it is: you're contributing to the delinquency of a minor when you provide them alcohol." The health of our children is the health of our future -- it's not a short-term venture. Play your role by taking a stand on making the right decision, and choosing not to abuse. Our kids are watching your choices. Note: Heidi Hottinger is a community member of The Sun's editorial board. Source: Sun, The (WA) CannabisNews - Cannabis Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #10 posted by Hope on April 14, 2002 at 21:37:26 PT |
| Mayoral Marijuana Martyrdom
By Paul Reyfman The last paragraph says: Mayor Bloomberg can be the martyr who changes this, whether he wants to or not, but he cannot do it alone. E-mail me at youbetihave@yahoo.com to let me know if you too smoked and enjoyed marijuana. Provide your name and let me know if you would mind your name being published. Mike has smoked marijuana and so have I. We both enjoyed it. Who else? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by observer on April 14, 2002 at 17:43:02 PT |
| Did Heidi forget about hash? Always has been strong hash around, more around in 70s than now, in the US at least. Richard Cowan perfectly answers this old canard. It is worth a quick read! Heidi: Whereas in 1974 THC content averaged less than 1 percent, today's marijuana THC concentration ranges from 8 to 28 percent Marijuana Prohibition And Potency, Price, And Safety -- "Is Marijuana Stronger Now Than It Was Back In the '60s, When Everyone Thought It Was Harmless?" [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by Toker00 on April 14, 2002 at 17:42:53 PT |
| Haven't seen you post here before, but you are among those who SINCERELY are trying to answer: the Question. It's like living in two worlds. Theirs, where most participants are blinded by propaganda, and addicted to capitalism, and ours, where we have on special glasses, and can see Their world as it Really is. How do we Do it, indeed. We Are doing it. Our Tool is Truth, theirs is Greed. Perseverance of exposes', like the Wizard of Oz, will finally topple these anti-Americans, who have America by the *****. They swear in Americas name, and regulate your freedoms, to achieve their goals. I say, regulate their freedoms, and instigate what has always been ours, the Power of the People. REVOLUTION! But, then again, it seems the tyrants are steadily shooting their own foot. You die by what you live by, and greed and power, when abused, will eventually kill them. But we may have to help. FoM, you got it, girl. Welcome, LETSGETFREE Peace. Realize, then Legalize. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by FoM on April 14, 2002 at 14:48:58 PT |
| I don't know about what is going on in Venezuela. I have only seen a few seconds here and there on the Network News but I've seen enough to know they don't want to cover it. I know things are bad. That I know for sure. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by letsgetfree on April 14, 2002 at 14:37:00 PT |
| but if you realize that the people who are trying to keep marijuana illegal are the same people who are supporting military coups over democracticly elected governments, who told the venezuela military that it would support an "intrim government" if they wanted to get rid of chavez. it reeks of cia, in fact it smells quite a bit like CHILE! The rich elites didn't like his help the poor style, lets just get rid of him! they thought. They went to washington to make sure the states would back em, thye would. excellent, coup time! and who does take control? pro oil man, who gets rid of DEMOCRATICLY ELECTED CONGRESS, starts rounding up sympathyers of chavaz. BUT ALL THIS IS NOT THE SCARY PART!!!! THE SCARY PART IS THE COMPLEATE AND UTTER LACK OF REAL MEDIA WHO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AND ARN'T THE BITCHES OF THE CORPORATIONS THAT OWN THEM. the US gubernment is so far gone into their hands, it must be treated as a hostile entity. it is tyranny, corrupt beyond belief. they're trying to spread it everywhere now. Here in Canada it's already on it's way. NAFTA was the final nail in the coffin. if we don't stop it now it will be 1984 tomorrow. People with power don't give it up easily, as we have seen in Venezuela where a president so rocked the old establishment they had to get rid of him. they're not gonna give it up easily so we must be ready to take back what is ours. letsgetfree! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by potpal on April 14, 2002 at 14:33:00 PT |
| Four years later, these substances reversed order. What happened? Kids got smarter, thanks to the sweet herb... [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #4 posted by overtoke on April 14, 2002 at 13:31:57 PT:
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| I love how people will make up any number they like or use any published number to prove any point they like. (As I will demonstrate.. hehe) In the September 2000 study, "Impact of Peer Substance Use on Middle School Performance in Washington State", even low levels of alcohol and drug use were linked to lower individual Washington Assessment of Student learning ( WASL ) test scores for middle school students. Students whose peers had near-zero Involvement with drinking and drugs scored on average 18 points higher on the state reading test, and 45 points higher in math, than students whose peers had a moderate level of use. I would guess is that the studens that scored better on these tests simply LIED about their drug/alcohol involvement. Their test scores reflect higher intelligence (sorry, no. It's just a test.) so they probably realized that there was probably some way for 'the man' to match up their name with poll answers. today's marijuana THC concentration ranges from 8 to 28 percent Please show me the 28 percent marijuana! Higher potency Marijuana is MORE healthy. Since the only known health risk is the smoking itself. People smoke however much they need to reach the level they want. The people who DONT realize this are the people causing us all this trouble. Using higher potency as an excuse and reason to fight cannabis is insane. -- The lady does bring up a point so I'll answer her question. Alcohol is a dangerous and much abused substance. Kids know this. Cannabis is not dangerous. Kids know this. The generation that experimented freely with marijuana. in the '60s and '70s, is now the parent generation. That's right, grandma. Maybe you should just keep your mouth shut and let them do the parenting. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by FoM on April 14, 2002 at 13:26:18 PT |
| I understand your frustration because I feel the same way. I feel a terrible sense of urgency recently. There's not much time is what I keep thinking. I don't know how change can come but I really believe it must and soon. Maybe I can say what I keep thinking and you'll understand. OK I believe we haven't seen the end of terror and I don't think we will see peace soon or maybe ever again. That's not a nice thought but it's what I really do think. I want to know that people who want to use marijuana will be left alone and not be assimilated into an anti-terrorism campaign. Drugs are drugs and cannabis is a plant. I want the drug war to end but we have to get marijuana free. We aren't terrorist. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by LETSGETFREE on April 14, 2002 at 13:15:27 PT |
| we have the power! WE MUST ACT! COMMENTS PLEASE! WE CAN START SOMETHING RIGHT HERE AND NOW! TALK IS CHEAP NOW IS THE TIME FOR ACTION! Can anyone answer the question that all people who are dissatisfied with system come to? What can one person do to change it? WE MUST ANSWER THIS QUESTION! There is no free press, only corporate press. there is no democratic government for the people by the people. corporate government, for them, by them. THE WHOLE MACHINE IS ROTTEN TO THE CORE! ARE YOU WITH THEM OR AGAINST THEM?! WHICH SIDE WILL YOU BE ON WHEN WE THE PEOPLE OF THIS PLANET TAKE BACK WHAT WAS GIVEN TO ALL NOT JUST THE FEW! ORGANIZE FOR FREEDOM! FREEDOM! LETS GET FREE! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by letsgetfree on April 14, 2002 at 13:06:25 PT |
| TOTAL BS HERE! WTF! This is journalism? In the 2001 "Kitsap Kids" survey, 80 percent of adults and 75 percent of teens agreed with the statement, "I believe marijuana use is harmful." What about the host of actual scientific studies that show marijuana to be a relatively benign drug with very low health risks? OK PEOPLE THE TIME IS COMING WHEN WE WILL BE FORCED TO ACTION! THE NEW WORLD OIL IS MAKING THERE BID RIGHT NOW! VENEZUELA WAS ALMOST THEIRS! THE PEOPLE TOOK IT BACK! NOW WE MUST TAKE BACK THE POWER FROM THE TYRANTS THAT ARE TRYING TO IMPOSE THEIR VIEWS AND THEIR PROSPERITY ON THE REST OF THE PLANET! THE WORLD BANK AND IMF DESTABILIZE COUNTRIES SO THERE CAN BE NO ECONOMIC RIVALS TO THE US AND IT'S SUBSIDIARY WESTERN "DEMOCRACIES". THEIR TRYING THROUGH THINGS LIKE NAFTA AND OTHER TRADE PACTS TO IMPOSE THEIR NEO LIBERAL-CUT-EVERY-SOCIAL-PROGRAM-IN-SIGHT SO THE POOR WILL ALWAYS BE HELD DOWN! WE MUST ORGANIZE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! REVOLUTION IS THE ONLY SOLUTION! [ Post Comment ] |
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