Twelve years ago, health officials saw some bright spots in this gloomy picture. The latest surveys from the National Institute on Drug Abuse showed modest but real declines since 1979 in puffing marijuana and popping hallucinogens and PCP, or “angel dust.” The surveys also reveal a leveling off in cocaine use among the 18 to 25 age group.

In 1984, experts showed moderate optimism. Dr. Mitchell Rosenthal, director of New York City’s Phoenix House, one of the nation’s largest residential drug treatment programs said: “In our lifetime, you and I will probably see a significant decline in drug use. We will see high school kids dropping way back. We won’t be in as dangerous a place as we are now.”

It hasn’t quite worked out that way. Over the period from 1992 to 1996 there was marked increase in the use of marijuana among high school teenagers. Parents met this with grim anticipation. Politicians used the statistic to batter their opponents. Experts had few solutions.

*87/266/5*

GENERAL HEALTH

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