- WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Drug abuse among America's children is increasing,
fueled by a continued rise in marijuana use, according to a government
survey released Friday. Illicit drug use among those from 12 to 17 years
old rose to 11.4 percent in 1997 from 9 percent in 1996. During the same
period, marijuana use in that age group increased to 9.4 percent from 7.1
percent, according to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse conducted
by the Department of Health and Human Services. Officials surveyed 24,505
individuals. ``We have a serious marijuana problem among our young people,''
said Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala. ``This survey shows
that our work in combating drug use must be focused on our young people.''
Shalala said the 1997 gain is part of a trend showing a ''persistent increase''
in marijuana use among youth from 1992 to 1997. ``Today we're not declaring
defeat -- or giving up hope. But what we are declaring is the need for
a renewed focus on marijuana,'' she said. More children, she said, are
using marijuana because they don't believe it's dangerous, citing a shift
in young people's perception of the dangers of marijuana that began in
1990. ``Our children are wrong. Marijuana is not safe,'' Shalala warned.
``Marijuana impairs learning. Marijuana impairs memory.'' Cigarette use
among the nation's youth also increased in 1997. Among those age 12 to
13, cigarette use increased to 9.7 percent in 1997 from 7.3 percent. Alcohol
use among children has remained relatively stable since 1992, according
to the survey. However, drug use among youths was higher with those who
were currently using cigarettes and alcohol. Overall, an estimated 13.9
million Americans, about 6.4 percent of the U.S. population 12 and older,
were current users of illicit drugs last year, up slightly from the 13
million estimate in 1996. Of that total, an estimated 11.1 million Americans
in 1997 were current marijuana users, representing 5.1 percent of the nation's
population age 12 and older. While there was a slight gain in 1997 of the
total number of drug users, the level remains about half its peak -- reached
in 1979 -- when there were 25 million current users. Use of hallucinogens,
inhalants, cocaine and heroin remained relatively flat, even among young
people, according to the study. Shalala said the Clinton Administration
would continue its push for adequate funding to prevent drug abuse in the
nation. Last month, the president launched a five-year, $2 billion media
campaign, including television ads designed to encourage parent-child discussions.
U.S. Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey said the initial response from that effort
has been overwhelming. ``Phone calls from parents and children seeking
information and help from national and local hot lines have increased 121
percent,'' McCaffrey said. Rep. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio, applauded
the Administration's efforts to curb drug abuse, but expressed concerns
that lawmakers would approve adequate funding for the effort. ``Unfortunately,
while the President has requested more than $17 billion for drug-control
efforts in the next fiscal year, many Republicans in Congress aren't joining
in the national effort to fully eradicate drug use in America,'' the lawmaker
said.
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