The definitive marijuana guide from Cannabis UK
Just say know to teenagers and marijuana
by
Rosenbaum M
ABSTRACT
Despite increasing expenditures on prevention, government survey after survey
indicates that marijuana use--which comprises 90% of illicit drug use--has not
been eradicated among teenagers. Today's adolescents have been exposed to the
largest dose of prevention in our history. After three decades of such efforts,
one must ask why young people continue to use marijuana, and why drug education
has failed to bring about a marijuana-free teenage America. Drug education falls
short because it is based on a "no-use" premise, scare tactics and top-down
teaching. Such programs do not educate, and may even be counterproductive for
those who choose to say "maybe" or "sometimes," or "yes." Moreover, drug
education, as has been the case since its advent, is based on politics rather
than science--an enormous taxpayer drain with few demonstrative results. A new
strategy for drug education requires a pragmatic view that accepts the ability
of teenagers, if educated honestly and in ways they trust, to make wise
decisions leading, if not to abstinence, to moderate, controlled, and safe use.
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