cannabisnews.com: Many Parents Make a Tokin' Effort Against Pot!





Many Parents Make a Tokin' Effort Against Pot!
Posted by FoM on July 21, 1999 at 10:41:57 PT
by Kawanza L. Griffin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Source: Philly News
When it comes to frank talk, many parents fall short on the subject of marijuana use, according to a national survey released yesterday by the Hazelden Foundation.
In a telephone survey of 505 parents of teens ages 13 to 18, researchers found that although 41 percent of parents have smoked marijuana themselves, most do not communicate the consequences to their children."People tend to underestimate the effects of marijuana use," said Carol Falkowski, a senior research analyst for Hazelden. "Marijuana today is much stronger, and with increased potency comes the increased likelihood of faster progression from first use to problem use."Falkowski pointed out that marijuana often is mixed with crack cocaine, PCP or formaldehyde without the user's knowledge - an uncommon practice in the 1970s. The study also found that although 84 percent of parents believe marijuana can be addictive, only 19 percent voiced that concern to their children.Hazelden is a nonprofit organization providing treatment, education and prevention for chemical dependency and related addictive disorders.While 98 percent of parents said they would be upset to learn their teens were using marijuana, most would respond only by revoking certain privileges (61 percent), grounding (58 percent), forbidding interaction with certain friends (56 percent) or sending their teens to counseling (51 percent)."This survey reflects that [we are] always blaming someone else," said Jill Kamm, a counselor at the Milwaukee Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. "Parents need to talk to their kids and give them options on how to avoid drugs. Educate them yourself; don't expect someone else to do it for you." Pubdate: July 21, 1999©1999 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc. 
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