Debate Over Marijuana Treatment TrendsMarch 7, 2005
Research Summary
More people are entering treatment programs because of marijuana use, but while the government blames greater drug potency, others say the trend can be traced to the larger role courts play in treatment referrals.The Associated Press reported March 4 that a study from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that treatment admissions for marijuana-related problems rose from 45 per 100,000 population in 1992 to 118 per 100,000 population in 2002. The report said marijuana admissions rose in 41 states, declined in three states, and that data from other states was incomplete or inconclusive.
Federal anti-drug officials said the results showed that marijuana is a dangerous drug, tying the trend to the availability of more potent strains of the drug and increased use. "This report is a wake-up call for parents that marijuana is not a soft drug," said Tom Riley, a spokesman for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. "It's a much bigger part of the addiction problem than is generally understood."
However, during the same time period, marijuana-related arrests rose from about 340,000 to 700,000. This trend, along with the proliferation of drug courts and other court-ordered treatment, has more to do with the rising marijuana treatment figures, other observers said. "[Marijuana users] have the option of going into treatment for marijuana or going to jail," said Paul Armentano, senior policy analyst for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
"We have no way of knowing why there are so many more going for treatment. The data just tells us that there are," said SAMHSA spokesperson Leah Young. However, she added, "Being forced into treatment does not indicate you don't need it."
The study results were drawn from the Drug and Alcohol Services Information System, and can be viewed online.
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