Pubdate: Wed, 19 Jun 2002
Source: Daily Advertiser, The (LA)
Copyright: 2002 South Louisiana Publishing
Contact:  http://www.theadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1670

PROGRAM WILL WARN OF THE DANGERS OF POPULAR DRUGS

Issue -- Widespread use of drugs such as OxyContin, GHB and Ecstasy.

We Suggest -- Users need to know the life-threatening potential.

The Advertiser has long urged an intervention program designed to warn 
young people about the dangers of certain drugs, particularly OxyContin, a 
potent painkiller, and such designer drugs as GHB and Ecstasy. Now, a 
partnership of the Lafayette Parish Medical Society and Lafayette General 
Medical Center has launched an educational program designed to warn people 
of the enormous health threats from using party drugs or misusing 
prescription drugs. The campaign will utilize broadcast and print 
announcements to get the message across that the drugs pose a threat to life.

We believe this is an extremely timely approach. The public has had the 
dangers of street drugs such as cocaine hammered into their consciousness 
for years. OxyContin, GHB and Ecstasy have not had that kind of exposure 
and we do not believe enough people have yet received the sobering message.

The danger of the drugs cannot be over-emphasized. There is a fine line 
between a dosage that intoxicates and a dosage that can kill or cause brain 
damage. Lafayette has had some alarming cases.

Hospitals here have been seeing more and more emergency room visits brought 
on by the abuse of the drugs. A 2001 Southern Illinois University study 
found 22.8 percent of UL Lafayette students had used a designer drug at 
least once.

Making young people aware of the terrible risk they take is a vital 
responsibility. We commend the medical society and Lafayette General for 
accepting the challenge.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens