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	Vol.7, No 58, December 9, 1999
	Alcohol, drugs lead to teenage sex The Associated Press reported Wednesday that a new study shows a definite correlation between drug and alcohol use and sexual activity in teenagers. The study states that substance abuse leads to unsafe sex practices. Ken Hanson I don't think we needed a study to tell us that. It may seem simplistic, but if kids are doped up or drunk, they are not thinking clearly and are not likely to use condoms. When teenagers are in the heat of passion, especially the first few times, they are more worried about "getting some" than what the consequences of not using a condom may be. And if they are drunk or high, they are more likely going for pure sensation than thinking of their future. I mean think about one of those drunken nights when you went home with some barfly. Is a condom the first thing you thought about? Probably not. But with experience comes wisdom, and now it is probably the second thing you think of, right after how horny you are. That is another problem. Many drugs have effects similar to aphrodisiacs. Marijuana can invoke prurient desires and enhance physical sensitivity. The same goes with other popular drugs like ecstasy and cocaine. Alcohol is a proven aphrodisiac, especially in women. Recently, a study ranked Long Beach as having the highest HIV rates among teenagers. This new study shows a threat to the city's high schools. Unfortunately, drugs, alcohol and sex are rampant in our society. The best hope we have is to educate children better. We need to be able to have open conversations with our children about sex, drugs and booze. These subjects have become too dangerous to remain taboo. Ken Hanson is the Opinion editor for the Daily Forty-Niner.		Professor helps L.B.P.D. research Asian criminals   National health survey hits L.B.   Speech, debate team grabs first   Music instructor not singing blues   Student beats shopping challenge   POLICE LOG Walk through racism   Alcohol, drugs lead to teenage sex   Professors don't profit from books Circus Dragon   'Deuce' humorous   Led Zeppelin produces another classic release Scott's success goes beyond LBSU Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.