Grassley: Youth Drug Survey, Marijuana Results Disturbing

Statement

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Caucus on International Narcotics Control, today made the following comment on the National Institute of Health's 2015 Monitoring the Future survey of youth habits on illicit drug and tobacco use. The survey shows the decreasing use of a number of substances, including cigarettes, alcohol, prescription opioid pain relievers and synthetic cannabinoids ("synthetic marijuana"). Other drug use, including the use of marijuana, remains stable, with continued high rates of daily use reported among 12th graders, and ongoing declines in the perception of its harms.

"The results are mixed. There's good news in areas that have been a concern in Iowa and elsewhere in the country, including harmful synthetic drugs. I give credit to law enforcement, parents, community groups and state and federal laws, including those I've sponsored, that have cracked down on access to the chemicals used to make synthetic drugs.

"But the news on marijuana use is disturbing. Marijuana use remains high. For the first time, on a daily basis, more 12th graders are smoking marijuana than tobacco. The perceptions of the risk of marijuana use among youth also continue to drop, with less than a third believing marijuana use is harmful. This may indicate that marijuana rates are unlikely to decline any time soon. Unfortunately, these developments aren't at all surprising under an Administration that refuses to enforce federal law in this area and downplays the risks associated with using marijuana. The Administration should reconsider its approach. Marijuana isn't harmless. It can have especially negative physical effects on developing brains. It can also lead to the use of other drugs with even more devastating effects."

Source