>> MARIJUANA: MOST TEENS DON’T

KNOW ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS

Most teenagers and their parents know little about marijuana, a drug that 20 percent of eighth graders and almost 50 percent of 12th graders have tried at least once. In fact, 37 percent of the U.S. population ages 12 and older have tried it. Commonly called pot, grass, reefer or weed, marijuana is much more potent today than it was in the 1960s and 1970s. During the past few decades, researchers have learned much about the effects of marijuana — information that has not trickled down to parents or those who use it. It turns out that THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the most active of the more than 400 ingredients of marijuana, is responsible for much more than the commonly known effects, such as euphoria (“high”) and a slower sense of time. It’s also the cause of other short-term effects, some of which can be potentially harmful to regular and long-term users: problems with memory and learning, distorted perceptions, difficulty in thinking and problem-solving, loss of coordination and increased heart rate.

Since marijuana smoke contains 50 percent to 70 percent more carcinogens than tobacco smoke, researchers believe that marijuana may increase the risk of cancer more than smoking tobacco (National Institute on Drug Abuse). For more documented facts about marijuana, go to the NIDA Web site (www.drugabuse.gov/Infofax/marijuana.html).

WRITE A REPORT ON DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR If you discover that your teen has been doing something dangerous, such as smoking, drinking, taking drugs, engaging in unsafe sex, or driving under the influence, an effective and educational form of discipline is to have him or her write a lengthy report about the dangers of that specific behavior. A friend of mine made his daughter write a 10-page paper about the dangers of smoking, and also made her walk through a cancer ward at a local hospital. He claims that she has not touched another cigarette since. -- S.B., Wyoming, Mich.