Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Trend shifts: Marijuana becomes drug of choice

Trend shifts: Marijuana becomes drug of choice

Mar 08, 2005 - 23:16:36 CST

By KAYLA COGDILL, Bismarck Tribune

A new report shows the admission rates for marijuana treatment increased nationally by 162 percent and by more than 200 percent in North Dakota over the last decade.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reported the admission rates for marijuana treatment tripled between 1992 and 2002. Admission rates were calculated per 100,000 people age 12 and older in a state.

In 1992, North Dakota had fewer than 50 admissions per 100,000 people age 12 or older. In 1997, admissions increased in range from 50 to 86 per year, and by 2002, the range was 87 to 138 per year. In 2002, only six states had fewer than 50 admissions and 21 states had rates of 139 or more.

Don Wright, assistant director at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services of the Department of Human Services, said there has been a shift in the drug of choice from alcohol to marijuana. The drug is easily accessible and kids and adults have a low perception of the risks involved.

"Lots of people don't think about the harm in smoking pot because they think they smoked pot in high school and they turned out OK, so it is fine," Wright said. "But they don't think about those that didn't turn out OK. Drinking is different and smoking pot is different than it used to be. Now more people are drinking to get drunk and smoking to get high."

Wright also said marijuana is more potent today than it was years ago. High-quality drugs are easier to get and many users prefer smoking pot rather than drinking because of the aftereffects. However, alcohol is probably still the No. 1 drug of kids in treatment.

In North Dakota, the largest increase of new users has come in ages 12 to 17. More users are at an older age, but the number of older new users is stabilizing.

"It's tough being a kid these days. The general public is forgetting about marijuana and alcohol abuse because of meth abuse and other problems, but marijuana and alcohol are still the No. 1 problem for kids," Wright said.

"We are going to have to take a serious look at community norms and values, because this is not acceptable," Wright said. "We might think that it could be worse, but it is bad enough. We are losing kids. Change is going to have to start with parents and adults. They have to look at what they do as adults to be better role models."

(Reach reporter Kayla Cogdill at 250-8251 or kaylacogdill@bismarcktribune.net.)

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Comments

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Scott wrote on Jan 25, 2007 11:19 AM:

" I am confused to. I also wanted to post about dying deer. Last fall I found many dead turtles out of the creeks. What is up with the posts here about alcoholism and gay marriage , I wonder what story the dead deer comments are appearing under and how they are interpreted ? "

billy wrote on Dec 27, 2006 6:30 AM:

" youyoung people please do not get hooked on alcahol its no fun watching your friends die because they cant quit I know I have been down that road "

2 much time on their hands wrote on Dec 26, 2006 9:07 AM:

" Plainclothes officers in unmarked cars watched for illegal or suspicious activity and then radioed uniformed officers in marked police cars to make stops. is that legal? seems like they have 2 much time or money on their hands "

I'm confused wrote on Aug 24, 2006 9:32 AM:

" Boy, I was going to comment on this but after I read the above comments it looks like those comments refer to a different story. Has there been a mixup in the database? please read the other comments. anyway I will comment on this particular story. I am appalled that the school and the police have not taken this case more seriously. this is how incidents like Columbine happen because a kid gets harrased so bad they eventually break. my question is if the parents think they have an idea who did it why not test those kids DNA and it would probably solve the whole story. if it isn't them then the parents would have to accept that it would be to difficult to keep the case open. It's amazing how a school system will protect the bad kids and the trouble makers because they can bring home a state title but the innocent ones are the ones that pay. how pathetic "

Todd wrote on Jun 11, 2006 10:59 PM:

" I am writing to state my opposition to the protect marriage act. I am a heterosexual however when states like Virginia can pass laws, even if the public votes to pass the law, where a consenting adult can not create a contract with another consenting adult and have it legally honored there is a severe problem with democracy! In many states a millionaire can will to his/her cat or to any organization such as the KKK or other known discriminating, hateful organizations. So taking the bible out of this issue, it's simply a civil rights act. I don't have to say 'allow marriage' but I do not believe any bill should be passed that is basically based on 'sin' in the bible and takes away consenting adults to create contracts regarding financial, legal, or other contracts that effect every day life. Are we going back to Nazi Germany? If we are going to basically use the bible on this law, then it's only fair that we use all the 'statements' in the bible such as adultery, gambling, ect. Should someone who commits adultery have their contracts honored for the rest of their lives? Why are we being selective towards one group? Its bottom line is its illegal regardless of if the people of a state to pass the law. Why should a rapist, a child molester, or a convicted murder be able to create a legal contract and have it honored? The protect marriage act is based on hate. You may not agree with it or choose to have recognized but you have NO right to stop a consenting, law abiding legal tax payer from creating contracts and having them honored the same as any other individual. But yet two of the same sex people are told no contract they have is valid? What is the next step to throw them out of the country or to execute them? Your job is to support living rights, not pick and choose who can or can not have a piece of legal paper honored. Regards, Todd "

bree wrote on May 20, 2006 8:54 AM:

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Mandi wrote on May 11, 2006 8:17 AM:

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sandra wrote on Apr 24, 2006 3:50 PM:

" i think it might it must have some picture for the children "

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