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Government reports that drug use is up ... let the spin begin

By Douglas A. Berman

As detailed in this new AP story, the "rate of illegal drug use rose last year to the highest level in nearly a decade, fueled by a sharp increase in marijuana use and a surge in ecstasy and methamphetamine abuse, the government reported Wednesday."  Here are the details along with some of the early spin: Gil Kerlikowske, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, called the 9 percent increase in drug use disappointing but said he was not surprised given "eroding attitudes" about the perception of harm from illegal drugs and the growing number of states approving medicinal marijuana.  "I think all of the attention and the focus of calling marijuana medicine has sent the absolute wrong message to our young people," Kerlikowske said in an interview...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on September 16, 2010 (boomark / email).