cannabisnews.com: Colorado Leads U.S. in Marijuana Use Colorado Leads U.S. in Marijuana Use Posted by FoM on September 01, 2000 at 08:08:16 PT By Andrew Guy Jr., Denver Post Staff Writer Source: Denver Post A new national study paints a grim picture of Colorado's war on drugs: The state leads the nation in overall marijuana use and ranks higher than average in the percentage of teenage users. "We're kind of a crossroads in the country for drug trafficking. We have a major international airport, and we have wide open plains which can contribute to cultivation and growing illegal drugs," said Bruce Mendelson, a data analyst with the Colorado Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. "The drugs these days are much more potent, and the effects are more profound. So it's more than about how the numbers of people using marijuana are going up, but about how more people are getting their hands on the really potent stuff."The 1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse was released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It measured use of illegal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.Nationwide, the survey showed illegal drug use by teens ages 12-17 declined, from 11.4 percent in 1997 to 9.9 percent in 1998 and 9 percent last year. But drug use increased among 18- to 25-year-olds, rising from 14.7 percent in 1997 to 16.1 percent in 1998 and 18.8 in 1999.Drug use among those older than 26 has remained stable since 1994, according to the report.In its first-ever state-by-state breakdown, the survey showed Colorado's overall population ranking above the national average in every category except cigarette smoking and tops in the country in marijuana use.Nationally, 5.2 percent of respondents of all ages reported marijuana use within the last month. In Colorado, the survey estimated 8.1 percent of people used the drug within a month of the survey.In addition, Colorado ranked as one of the leading states for marijuana use between the ages of 12 and 17. Nationally, 7.9 percent of marijuana users were between those ages. In Colorado that number was estimated at 10.8 percent, tying it for seventh in the country. Among 18- to 26-yearolds the state also tied for seventh.The state's Mendelson works with agencies rehabilitating drug users and said he has noticed an increase in teen users for years. "The numbers of kids using it have gone up, and that doesn't surprise me,''he said. "That's been an increasing trend over the last 10 years. We've had a lot of under 18-year-old kids coming in needing treatment." Adam Brickner, appointed recently as Denver's first drug czar, said he wasn't surprised by the survey results."I haven't read the study yet, but it doesn't surprise me," Brickner said. "I think there's an independence out here (in the West) that contributes to that."In July, police raided a home in rural Weld County and discovered one of the most extensive drug operations ever seen in Colorado. Police found a 9-foot-deep bunker under a house that served as an elaborate marijuana growing operation.The Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, an arm of the state Department of Human Services, channels state funds to private agencies that provide drug and substance abuse treatment. Mendelson said the division helps about 40,000 people a year get treatment for substance abuse. Many of them are teens.In 1999, 6,240 Coloradans received treatment for marijuana use through the division, Mendelson said. Of that number, 32 percent were under the age of 18, and 27 percent were between the ages of 18 and 25.In 1998, the division treated 5,665 people for marijuana addiction. Forty percent of that group was under 18, Mendelson said.Source: Denver Post (CO)Copyright: 2000 The Denver PostContact: letters denverpost.com Address: 1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202Fax: (303) 820.1502Website: http://www.denverpost.com/Forum: http://www.denverpost.com/voice/voice.htm_____Report Highlights_____• National Survey on Household Drug Abuse http://www.samhsa.gov/OAS/NHSDA/1999/Highlights.htmRelated Articles:Survey Finds Teens Using Cigarettes, Drugs Less http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6898.shtmlSurvey: Youths' Drug Use Declininghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/5/thread5240.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by nl5x on September 01, 2000 at 21:52:26 PT math brew,i think you may be off by 25%. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by dankhank on September 01, 2000 at 14:58:47 PT: Interesting ... I spent 3 weeks in Denver round the 4th of July.Denver is a cool place ...Try not to make me laugh with that marijuana addiction crap ... HEMP n STUFF [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Tommy_Simpson on September 01, 2000 at 14:40:53 PT: Co. Boastin nuff kronic Cool Rad Bro = Colorado! the reason why so many people Burn da Ganja in Co. Cuz all the Hardcore MountainBikers Live There. Heres a Bigup From Mt Tamalpais(our weed tastes better In The Bayarea) -for the record - [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by freedom fighter on September 01, 2000 at 11:55:54 PT When they busted the dude in Greeley, there were no plants in his bunker. Yes, he did have pounds the storage bin but not on his property. Having a bunker under your house does not mean you are growing the herb.It is interesting to note that the childrun in Colorado also increase their SAT scores from last year and so forth. We are among the best in this country. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Brew on September 01, 2000 at 10:59:47 PT: Treatment ??? >>In 1999, 6,240 Coloradans received treatment for marijuana use In 1998, the division treated 5,665 people for marijuana addiction.>>I wonder how many of these (My guess would be >75%) were forced into "Treatment" or else lose their job, or go to jail. People like myself who work, pay taxes, coach soccer, go to PTA meetings, but choose a 'different' cocktail to unwind with on a Friday night.. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: