Pubdate: Fri, 05 Oct 2001
Source: Appeal-Democrat (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Appeal-Democrat
Contact:  http://www.appeal-democrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1343
Author: Scott Bransford

ECSTACY DOESN'T PRODUCE ECSTASY

Teens Hear Tough Message About Drugs

Trinka Porrata, a journalist and former detective, has seen her share of 
tragedies caused by Ecstacy and other drugs commonly used at underground 
dance parties known as raves.

Since retiring from the Los Angeles Police Department in 1999, Porrata has 
worked as a private consultant on illegal drugs, providing expert testimony 
to government officials on raves and "club drugs" such as GHB, ketamine and 
"roofies" - a drug commonly used in date rapes.

In two assemblies at Marysville High School on Thursday morning, Porrata 
didn't mince words as she brought to light the dangers of those drugs and 
underground events such as raves.

She also brought her expertise to Lindhurst High School on Thursday 
afternoon, and is scheduled to speak at Wheatland High School this morning.

Poratta's presentations were part of a program launched by the 
Multijurisdictional Counter-Drug Task Force, a group made up of various 
civic and law enforcement agencies.

As Porrata pointed out, raves and club drugs have largely escaped notice in 
recent years, as drug interdiction efforts have focused primarily on 
marijuana, heroine and methamphetamine.

"A lot of drugs have surfaced that law enforcement agents don't yet know 
about," Porrata said.

In graphic detail, she also described the dangerous side effects of such 
drugs, demystifying substances that are often touted as safe and fun.

The drug Ecstacy, whose euphoric effects are glorified on Internet sites 
and in popular culture, was presented by Porrata as little more than a 
gateway to sickness, depression and "ugly, horrible ways to die."

"I resent the use of the word ecstacy," she declared. "When you start 
looking at the dead bodies and the people's lives that have been destroyed 
by it, it doesn't sound like ecstacy anymore."

Porrata recognized that raves have positive elements, such as their good 
music, captivating light displays and a friendly atmosphere.

But she warned that most raves are nothing more than well-orchestrated 
attempts to make money and sell drugs. All too often, she said, criminals 
and promoters use such events to prey upon young people.

"There are a lot of people that are using rave culture for the sake of 
making money," she said.

Although Porrata frequently used gruesome details to deliver her message, 
she assured that she was not trying to deter students from drugs by playing 
on their fears.

"It's not about trying to scare them. It's about trying to balance the 
information that they receive," Porrata said. "There's a lot of bogus 
information."

Local law enforcement officials are optimistic that Porrata's presentations 
will help keep raves and club drugs out of the Yuba- Sutter area and 
surrounding counties.

"This aspect of drugs is something that law enforcement is trying to get a 
grasp on," said officer Brad Minton of the Marysville Police Department's 
Drug Suppression Program. The presentations, he said, "will be a good 
platform for everyone."

Some students also agreed that the presentation was useful.

Cleatus Harris, a sophomore at Marysville High School, said the 
presentation will reinforce his commitment to living a drug-free lifestyle.

"It was good," he said. "It taught me about a lot of things that I didn't 
know."

Alyssa Westerlund, also a sophomore, agreed that the presentation brought 
unknown risks to light.

"It's good that they're informing people," she said. "I know a lot of 
people who have done stupid things just because they thought they were cool."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens