THE PRICE OF GETTING HIGH

Police Seminar To Detail The Latest Trends-And Perils-Of Street
Drugs

Just two years ago, ecstasy was known as the drug of choice amongst
the all-night rave party crowd.

But that's not the case anymore as more people are popping different
combinations of pills, powder, capsules and liquids in pursuit of new
highs.

On Thursday, Steveston Secondary (10440 No. 2 Rd.) will be the site of
a special presentation by RCMP Cpl. Scott Rintoul, who will discuss
current drug-use trends. From abused prescription medication to
traditional street drugs like crystal methamphetamine, Rintoul will be
discussing topics that parents should know about from 7 to 9 p.m.

"If (parents) think kids are just smoking pot, that's ludicrous,"
Rintoul said in an interview.

A particularly disturbing trend is the increase in what Rintoul called
"poly drug use," referring to the mixing of drugs such as LSD, magic
mushrooms, marijuana, PCP and methamphetamines.

"The amount of poly drug use is incredible right now," Rintoul said, a
marked change over two years ago.

While the rave scene has died down a bit, with fewer of the
large-scale raves, Rintoul said the use of the euphoria-inducing drug
ecstasy has spread from what was just the all-night rave scene to
regular parties, nightclubs and even casual everyday use.

Rintoul said he'll be advising parents of the types of drugs that are
currently available on the streets, and signs and symptoms for them to
watch for commonly exhibited by drug users.

The seminar isn't tailored just for parents of high school children,
he said. Parents of elementary school students should arm themselves
with the knowledge of the types of pressures their children will face
when they enter high school.

"Will (elementary school children) be exposed to this? Without a
doubt," Rintoul said.

Much like two years ago, when the rave scene was all the rage,
rave-goers are still ignorant about the types of drugs they are ingesting.

Only a small percentage of ravers who believe they've purchased pure
ecstasy are actually getting what they paid for, Rintoul said. In
fact, of some 300 samples of drugs seized by police from raves,
nightclubs and concerts this year, only 25 per cent were pure Ecstasy.
Others contained various combinations of chemicals including
amphetamine, methamphetamine and ketamine.

Rintoul fears that residents are on the verge of seeing an epidemic
increase in drug use as drugs such as methamphetamines are readily
available on the streets in disturbingly high quantities.

Not only have prices of the drug dropped, but there's a tremendous
market for it, he said.

Richmond's regulated rave scene makes local raves much safer-thanks to
policing and security-than attending an underground rave, Rintoul
said. But drugs continue to be confiscated regularly.

Recent scientific studies indicate that using ecstasy may have
long-term effects including sleep disorders, depression and short-term
memory loss. Rintoul has been advising one man in his early-20s who is
worried because he's exhibiting short-term memory loss already.

Rintoul's presentation will also include a discussion of prescription
drug abuse involving the antidepressants Paxil, Effoxor and Zoloft.

Although the seminar is free and open to everyone, donations of
non-perishable food items are being collected at the door for the
Richmond Food Bank.