1995.07.19: Secretary Shalala Cites Evidence of Marijuana Dependency and Effects on Children Exposed Before Birth

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Date: July 19, 1995
For Release: EMBARGOED 
Contact: NIDA Press Office (301) 443-6245
         Mona Brown
         Sheryl Massaro

Secretary Shalala Cites Evidence
of Marijuana Dependency and Effects
on Children Exposed Before Birth

HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala warned today that new research shows that marijuana can produce drug dependence and has long-term effects on prenatally exposed children.

Speaking at the first national conference on marijuana use, Secretary Shalala was joined by Lee Brown, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and Alan Leshner, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as part of ongoing marijuana prevention efforts aimed at reaching young people where they live, work, study and socialize.

During the last three years, NIDA surveys have shown a doubling in marijuana use among eighth graders, and significant increases among 10th and 12th graders. Accompanying the increases in marijuana use is a significant erosion of anti-drug perceptions and knowledge among young people.

In her speech, Secretary Shalala said, "I am deeply troubled by what some of our young people think and say about marijuana. At the core of our agenda must be a clear and consistent message -- marijuana is illegal, dangerous, unhealthy and wrong. We must all drive home that message -- and to do it, we must sweep aside some powerful myths about marijuana."

Shalala also drew attention to budget cuts made by the House of Representatives Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee last week. The subcommittee approved a 75 percent cut in funding for demonstration efforts in drug abuse prevention and treatment, compared with the current year. These reductions would effectively cut off federal support for development of new knowledge on prevention and treatment, and curtail information collection and dissemination, Shalala said. In addition, total reductions would affect prevention services nationwide, and cut treatment services for more than 26,000 people compared with this year, she said.

Calling the cuts "unfortunate," she said "we will not let others in Washington lead us into retreat in the ongoing battle against substance abuse."

More than 500 parents, educators, prevention practitioners and researchers gathered for the conference aimed at providing scientifically based information about marijuana to dispel myths and to alert people to the increases in use and the potential health threats to young people.

"We expect that by communicating what science has uncovered about marijuana, we can help people who are looking for reliable information to use in their homes, schools and communities,"

Dr. Leshner said. "This conference is an important part of our drug prevention efforts."

In her keynote address, Secretary Shalala summarized new research findings presented at the conference:

Scientists have demonstrated marijuana dependence--meaning that a user feels a need to take a substance to feel well--using standard measures which have demonstrated withdrawal for other drugs of abuse;
Long-term studies of children, now 9-12 years old, who were prenatally exposed through their mother's use of marijuana indicate an association with impaired executive function (the intellectual ability which involves decision-making and future planning);
Long-term, multi-generational studies show that there are certain factors which predispose young people to marijuana use (i.e., children who are aggressive and have a distant relationship with their parents are more likely to use marijuana as young adults).

Other conference speakers presented findings from years of research on the harmful effects of marijuana:

Marijuana has been shown to elicit a variety of acute and chronic effects on the brain, the endocrine system and the immune system.
Marijuana impairs short-term memory, distorts perception, impairs judgment and complex motor skills, and alters the heart rate. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that marijuana significantly impairs performance. Deficits in balance and coordination found may be related to reported marijuana-induced impairment of actual driving.
Pulmonary (lung) consequences of habitual use of marijuana include symptoms of chronic bronchitis, an increased frequency of acute chest illnesses, a heightened risk of pulmonary infection, a variable tendency to airways obstruction and a possible increased risk of malignancy involving both the upper airway and the lungs.

In another presentation, the Partnership for a Drug Free America released public service announcements entitled "Talk to Your Kids," which ask parents, "If you don't (talk with your kids about drugs)...who will?"

Secretary Shalala also unveiled two new public information booklets on marijuana, one for parents and one for youth. In addition, meetings with key drug prevention leaders are being organized to reach out to the community with marijuana prevention messages. The National Institute on Drug Abuse is also expanding its marijuana research program to continue to increase knowledge about marijuana.

The conference will continue through Thursday, July 20, at the Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.

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