Lisa, Jenny and Alex were all 11 years old and in the sixth grade. They were great athletes and super smart. They had everything going for them. They were all American girls that every parent loved, until they got suspended from school for the use and possession of marijuana. This scenario and many other similar cases have become a regular occurrence in schools across the United States. A recent government survey tells us that marijuana is the most frequently used illegal drug in the country; it also says that nearly 50% of teenagers have tried marijuana before they graduate from high school. Though this number seems very high, my personal experience proves that number is much higher for our small school.

Most of my friends and fellow classmates have smoked it before and many of them still smoke it on a regular basis. Many parents or adults in our community have no idea that this is happening so regularly. Even more importantly how this is happening. I feel uniquely qualified that my own personal interactions and experiences will allow me the knowledge to explain

*Excerpt from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services NIH Publication Number 98-4036

http://www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/Mar

Most people think that it can't really be happening and that their sweet little children wouldn't ever dare to do it. Well, they do. At this school many people start experimenting with marijuana in the sixth and seventh grade. Not very many of them are doing this but there are a few. Then, as they begin to like it they continue with occasional use. Then, after a while some of their other friends want to try it also, when they do, they like it then, some more of their friends try it and this cycle goes on and on. So by Jr. High graduation most pre-teens have tried it.

The first question that arises in a conversation about children smoking marijuana is why? Why would they want to? Basically it is because they can, and they know they can. Most kids know that it is not right and they will get into a lot of trouble if they are caught, but surprisingly it is knowing they could get caught but haven't yet that that makes them want to do it. It seems that in a small community like Potter that everyone looks out for everyone else. However on the contrary the open country setting of Potter Valley provides kids with a million and one places to smoke and not be seen. During the summer kids say, "Hey mom, Joe and me are going to go on a bike ride." Then they go to a little hide away and get high. They have gotten away w

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Approximate Word count = 887
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)