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.