NATION IN BRIEF : GEORGIA : Smoking, Drug Use Up Among Youths

Smoking and drug use were on the rise last year among teen-agers according to a survey by Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education. Students were asked about their usage in 10 categories: cigarettes, beer, wine coolers, liquor, marijuana, cocaine, uppers, downers, hallucinogens and inhalants. Among students in grades 6 through 8, usage was higher in all 10 categories. Among high school students, usage was up in seven of the 10. While earlier PRIDE studies reported that black students were less likely than whites to smoke, drink or use drugs, the results of last year’s study indicate the reverse, with usage higher in all 10 categories.