Drug Education Day makes first UA visit

Kris Bosworth, program director for Smith Chair in Substance Abuse Education, said the event was designed to prepare students and educators for adolescent drug use, intervention, prevention and addiction issues.

Percentage of Annual Drug Usage By 12th Graders During 1996 Marijuana 35.8% Inhalants 7.6% Hallucinogens 10.1% LSD 8.8% Cocaine 4.9% Crack 2.1% Herion 1.0% Alcohol 79.2%

"Arizona (drug abuse rates are) higher than the national average," Bosworth said.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy reported in 1998 that 32 percent of the southwest's marijuana users are under 20 years old. The study also indicated that of 9 percent of people in the southwest under 20 use crack cocaine.

UA College of Education officials distributed another study indicating that Arizona teens had the highest rate in the country for abuse of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Research also indicated that 47 percent of Arizona high school students use marijuana.

To combat the drug use, Drug Awareness Day organizers are taking a down-to-earth approach in their teachings.

The day's activities will include a dramatic presentation by a drama troupe of former teenage drug abusers, using a peer-to-peer approach to alcohol and drug abuse prevention.

Speakers from two anti-tobacco organizations will also speak, along with a representative of Students Against Drunk Driving and Robert McCabe, director of Alternative High School for Tucson Unified School District.

Anjie Teledo, assistant to the program director, said the event was created about a year ago by a group of education students, faculty and staff as a way to spread more information on illegal drug use.

"We hope to do it every semester," Teledo said.

Teledo said officials are expecting at least 100 people to attend the program, sponsored by the College of Education, which starts tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. in the Education Building's Kiva Auditorium.