In response to “City to vote on new way to measure buffer zones...” (Herald 7/17), the article noted has several quotes that I believe reflect inaccurate information.
Pat Senecal of Celebrating Healthy Communities Coalition is quoted as saying “Marijuana use in La Plata County teenagers has increased since...legalized in 2014.” She further states that the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey found that marijuana use among students in sixth through 12th grades “increased by 11 percent when comparing the 2013-14 year.”
This survey can be quickly referenced at Colorado.gov or by searching the survey name itself. When one clicks on “marijuana infographics,” there in bold graphics it states “Marijuana Use Remains Relatively Unchanged...up 1 percent.”
I would refer interested readers to an article in the Denver Post summarizing a JAMA Pediatrics article, a similar article in Scientific America and many other articles listed when one searches “Marijuana Use among Colorado Teens.”
All of these articles stress that teen use in Colorado is flat and below increases seen in the rest of the United States. Having said this, as a physician, I must add that the risks of marijuana use to the developing brains of teenagers is without a doubt potentially harmful. But spreading misinformation does nothing to help with this issue.
If we want our children to make good choices, and to grow up to be responsible adults, the path is the same it has always been: communicate with them honestly and often, love them and actively guide them. The risks of pot are no different than the risks of alcohol, driving recklessly or riding your bike without a helmet – all are potentially harmful.
If parents are to navigate the challenges of parenthood they need accurate information.
William Karls, MD
Durango
