THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 3, 1995 TAG: 9502030088
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E13 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: TEENSPEAK
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
TEENAGERS ARE using more drugs, particularly marijuana, according to a study released in December by the University of Michigan.
The study jibes with reality, according to six Norfolk Academy students at this week's Teenspeak.
All said they believe drug use is on the rise among teenagers, although they acknowledged that their perceptions might be influenced by their getting older and attending more parties where activities such as drinking alcohol and using drugs tend to occur.
Peer pressure, the breakdown of some families and teenagers' insecurities contribute to drug abuse, they said.
Most of the students said they know kids who have used drugs, especially marijuana.
``I think it's something they talk about more, they experiment with more,'' said 16-year-old Bethany K. Maixner, a junior.
``It used to be, you'd go to a party and music and dancing were enough,'' said Jennifer P. Clark, 15, a sophomore. ``Now it's not. People are drinking and smoking.''
``I think they're too naive to know the consequences'' of drug use, said sophomore Neville F. Mistry, 15. ``They think, `It (addiction) will never happen to me.' ''
Kevin J. Ruben, 18, a senior, remembers being young and seeing advertisements condemning drugs and urging kids not to use them. The advertisements influence youngsters, he said. ``As you grow older, it doesn't seem as taboo,'' he said. ``You see more of it.''
``You hear about it,'' Neville said.
``You get used to it,'' Bethany said.
Allan W. Ark, 18, a senior, said drug use is a vicious cycle.
``The more people do it, the more it becomes accepted,'' he said.
How should the problem be conquered?
Jennifer said students need role models to whom they can relate, not just older authority figures such as former first lady Nancy Reagan telling them drugs are bad.
Jennifer also argued that the legalization of marijuana might take away some of the allure of drugs for teenagers. She said kids are sometimes drawn to drugs because ``it's like the forbidden apple.''
Kevin said, however, that legalization would just remove one of the obstacles that discourages some teens from using drugs.
Legalizing marijuana would eventually lead people to crave more potent drugs, Neville said.
Kate S. Rueger, 16, a junior, said people need to be made aware of the negative health effects of drugs such as marijuana.
``There needs to be some kind of big report on marijuana,'' she said.
``Something to scare people,'' Allan said. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
I think drug use is increasing. I guess if you look back, like at
the generations and stuff, there was heavy drug use. And then the
generation after that saw the effects. But I guess our generation
really hasn't seen the effects of drug use and abuse.
Kate S. Rueger, 16, junior
More teenagers are doing it. I think it's mostly for recreation, at
parties and things.
Jennifer P. Clark, 15, sophomore
by CNB