Pubdate: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 Source: Register-Guard, The (OR) Copyright: 2001 The Register-Guard Contact: http://www.registerguard.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/362 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?158 (Club Drugs) COMMUNITIES: 'CLUB DRUGS' TOPIC OF DAY CONFERENCE National and local experts will offer tips and advice during a "club drug" conference sponsored by Lane County's Department of Health and Human Services on Friday at the Valley River Inn. The conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be open to the public, and will cost $35 per person. Speakers will deliver the most current and relevant information on club drugs, including the long- and short-term physical and physiological effects of ecstasy and other such drugs, symptom identification, smuggling trends, user demographics and efforts to deter illegal "rave" activities. "We've brought in some top, well-respected national and local experts on drug prevention, treatment and enforcement to prepare our community to proactively address the club drug danger to our local youth," said Brinda Narayan-Wold of the Lane County Prevention Coalition. Presenters will include Richard Rawson, a research psychologist and associate director of the Integrated Substance Abuse Program at the University of California at Los Angeles; Eladio Paez, manager of Precise Protective Research Inc. in Miami, Fla., who has testified before Congress on illegal importation, trafficking and the use of ecstasy and other club drugs; Dr. Michael Leeds, psychologist and expert in the local prevalence of club drugs; Eric Martin, executive director of Oregon's Addiction Counselor Certification Board; and Lt. Dale Rutledge, of the Oregon State Police. Attendees are expected to include policy-makers, criminal justice staff, prevention and treatment counselors, health care workers, educators, youth service agencies and community members. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom