More Seek Help for Marijuana Addiction

[IndianaToker]

By Kevin Freking, The Associated Press
Source: Associated Press

Washington -- The admission rate for those who seek treatment for marijuana use nearly tripled between 1992 and 2002, according to the latest data compiled by the federal government. The numbers released Friday reflect a growing use of marijuana in the 1990s and an increase in the potency of marijuana, said Tom Riley, a spokesman for the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy.

"This report makes clear what people in the public health community have known for years, which is marijuana is a much more dangerous drug than many Americans realize," Riley said. "This report is a wake up call for parents that marijuana is not a soft drug. It's a much bigger part of the addiction problem than is generally understood."

The study on treatment rates was conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which estimated that 41 states experienced an increase in the number of people who sought treatment for marijuana use during the decade studied.

Overall, the admission rates rose from 45 per 100,000 people in 1992 to 118 per 100,000 people in 2002, which is the latest year such numbers are available.

"Marijuana is not a harmless substance, and these treatment trends emphasize that point, said Charlie Cook, the administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Author: Kevin Freking, The Associated Press
Published: March 4, 2005
Copyright: 2005 The Associated Press
Link to article: http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread20320.shtml

[IndianaToker]

Originally Posted by IndianaToker

The admission rate for those who seek treatment for marijuana use nearly tripled between 1992 and 2002, according to the latest data compiled by the federal government.

No surprise there huh? Blah!

[smoke_the_dank]

to me, this article shows not people who are willingly seeking treatment. I believe these statistics show us that alot more people are smoking now, so the rate of people being caught is driven up.

[pigwax]

alright, i believe that the only reason why so many people are getting traetment now is because more people are forcing them to... all the crazy mothers, fathers, judges. how many people in rehab for mary j do you think really went there on thier own? so those statistics don't really mean anything, just that either more potheads are getting caught or the laws are getting stricter.

[D9_THC]

aye, tis true.

probably 99% of people getting treatment for marijuana addiction are there because they've been caught and have been given the choice of prison or treatment.

they don't mention THAT do they?? nope