Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Shalala Opens Drive to Stem Teen Pot Use

Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala unveiled a campaign to stem marijuana use among elementary and high school students. Addressing about 3,000 people attending the 100th anniversary meeting of the National Parents and Teachers Assn., Shalala said that the campaign is intended to “empower and inspire parents to talk often and early with their children about substance abuse.” Dubbed Operation Reality Check, the campaign will work through 26,000 PTA chapters across the country to distribute 10 million anti-drug booklets to families with children 7 to 13.