Pubdate: Mon, 04 Feb 2008
Source: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)
Copyright: 2008 Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.dailybulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/871
Author: Brenda L. Chabot

PARENTS SHOULD KNOW WARNING SIGNS FOR CHILD DRUG USE

In recent months, our coalition has received more than a dozen phone 
calls and e-mails from youths and parents in the region inquiring 
about rave parties and the club drug Ecstasy.

It's pretty clear that parents are concerned about these events and 
the club drugs that are popular among today's youth.

One parent left a message asking what to look for in order to tell if 
her son was using Ecstasy. And a high school student e-mailed to tell 
us the location of raves occurring in our region and expressed 
concerns for friends who were planning on attending.

These are very legitimate concerns, and it's obvious that community 
awareness is needed to help educate parents about what they can do 
and look for in order to help prevent their children from using these 
substances in the first place.

One of the most popular drugs used at raves is called Ecstasy. Its 
chemical name is methlendioxymethampetamine (MDMA), and it is both a 
stimulant and a hallucinogen that can bring about a number of serious 
health complications, including interfering with the body's ability 
to regulate temperature, sometimes leading to a sharp increase in 
body temperature, resulting in liver, kidney, and cardiovascular 
system failure, and death.

MDMA users also risk increases in heart rate and blood pressure, and 
symptoms such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, 
blurred vision, faintness, and chills or sweating.

Psychological effects of MDMA

use can include confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, 
and severe anxiety.

Additionally, these problems can occur during as well as sometimes 
days or weeks after using the drug.

The drug can also lead to seizures, coma and death, according to the 
Office of National Drug Control Policy.

What's equally concerning is that some of these drugs have been found 
to have rat poison and other deadly products mixed into them, or 
laced with another drug.

Ecstasy is often found in a pill form, about the size of a baby 
aspirin, and is made to look like candy, which is why education on 
this drug is vital. Youths must know that despite its candylike 
appearance, it's actually a highly dangerous and illegal drug.

Fortunately, Ecstasy is very difficult to manufacture in this country 
due to strict control over the major ingredients.

However, large quantities are illegally brought into the U.S. and can 
be found throughout our communities ranging in price from $5 to $30 per pill.

According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an 
estimated 12.3 million Americans aged 12 or older tried Ecstasy at 
least once in their lifetimes, representing 5 percent of the U.S. 
population in that age group.

Results of the 2006 Monitoring the Future survey indicate that 2.5 
percent of eighth graders, 4.5 percent of 10th graders, and 6.5 
percent of 12th graders reported lifetime use of Ecstasy, according 
to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Ecstasy use had declined in recent years, and overall, Ecstasy use is 
near the middle of the pack when it comes to youth drug use. However, 
the fact that youth remain intrigued and continue to use Ecstasy is 
cause enough for our communities to help educate one another about 
this dangerous phenomenon that continues to attract youth.

According to data from the 2006 National Household Survey, conducted 
by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, the most 
popular substances today for youth begin with prescription drugs, 
followed by marijuana, tranquilizers, cocaine and then Ecstasy.

Parents need to be aware that rave parties are often posted on 
obscure Web sites, or posted by youths on their MySpace pages.

However, other raves have become mainstream and can easily be found 
through a Google search. MySpace has become a popular tool for youth 
to post information about themselves and has been found as a way to 
communicate with other youth about the locations of upcoming raves.

We have also found the popular YouTube Web site containing videos 
made by youth of their experiences at raves.

Together, these sites have popularized the club drug scene.

While it is true that raves, which are all-night parties that often 
end only when the sun rises, take place in industrial areas, old 
warehouses, and rural fields, it's equally true that many raves are 
held in popular arenas, as found in downtown San Bernardino at the 
National Orange Show, and in established clubs throughout Los Angeles 
and Las Vegas.

Ironically, the rave culture was believed to have begun as a way to 
hold substance-free events since alcohol could not be served after 2 a.m.

However, it wasn't long before drugs such as Ecstasy found themselves 
center stage at such events.

It's also important to point out that not everyone who attends these 
raves uses drugs, but like many large after-hour social gatherings of 
youth, one doesn't have to look too hard to find illegal drugs.

Parents should always take time to talk to their children about 
drugs. In today's times, it's never too early to begin the 
conversation to let them know that dangerous substances and Web sites 
exist, and that they may be pressured by a number of factors.

The Inland Valley Drug Free Community Coalition has established a Web 
site, www.ivdfc.org to help parents learn about the dangers of all 
drugs, and it has tools they can use to develop dialog when talking 
to their children.

- --------------------------------------------

Brenda L. Chabot is executive director of the Inland Valley Drug Free 
Community Coalition and a resident of Rancho Cucamonga.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart