WASHINGTON - After nearly a decade in decline, marijuana is making a strong comeback among high school students, with growing use and softening attitudes about the risk of smoking pot starting in eighth grade.

For the first time since 1981, high school seniors reporting they had smoked marijuana in the last 30 days outnumbered those who smoked cigarettes.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse issued its 2010 "Monitoring the Future" survey Tuesday, a yearly look at kids' drug and tobacco use patterns and attitudes. The remarkable crossover of the lines for marijuana use and tobacco use is a victory for public-health campaigns aimed at stamping out cigarette smoking among teens.

But the federal office that tracks illicit drug use said it is driven by an uptick in youth marijuana use that is broad based and likely to continue.

- Los Angeles Times

Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Northport and Half Hollow Hills East matchup, plus Tess Ferguson has an update on the high school fantasy football standings and Jared Vailuzzi has the plays of the week. Credit: Newsday

Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 3: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Northport and Half Hollow Hills East matchup, plus Tess Ferguson has an update on the high school fantasy football standings and Jared Vailuzzi has the plays of the week.

Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Northport and Half Hollow Hills East matchup, plus Tess Ferguson has an update on the high school fantasy football standings and Jared Vailuzzi has the plays of the week. Credit: Newsday

Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 3: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Northport and Half Hollow Hills East matchup, plus Tess Ferguson has an update on the high school fantasy football standings and Jared Vailuzzi has the plays of the week.

Subscribe

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

SUBSCRIBESALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME