HEROIN, ECSTASY DRUG USE ON RISE

Heroin and Ecstasy drug abuse among local teens and young adults is on the
rise, a federal drug official told concerned Henrico County residents last
night.

At least 25 people in the Richmond area between the ages of 15 and 30 died
of heroin overdoses last year, and Ecstasy, a popular party drug among
college students, has trickled down to the high school level, according to
law enforcement officers.

So some Henrico parents and students met with a federal drug enforcement
official last night to learn more about illegal drugs and how to combat
their increasing presence in western Henrico and other middle-class suburbs.

Joe Dombroski, a supervisor with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration,
spoke to a crowd of more than 50 people at Wyndham Swim and Racquet
Clubhouse. The meeting was organized by a member of St. Michael's Catholic
Church in Henrico.

"When I talk to high school juniors and seniors, I'm scared to see how much
they know [about drugs]," he said. "They know more than we do, and we're
out on the streets every day."

Dombroski gave information about illegal drugs that some people aren't
aware of, such as the physical and often long-term damage that can happen
with even recreational drug use. Ecstasy, a "methamphetamine on steroids,"
makes people relax and feel euphoric. But it can also raise body
temperature to dangerous levels, causing permanent brain damage, he said.

"You can get this in any school in Henrico and Chesterfield counties. And
if not in the schools, then nearby," Dombroski said.

Dombroski updated the audience on the increased use of heroin among teens
and young adults. Its increased accessibility is one reason. Now users can
buy it in powder form instead of injecting it.

"It takes the stigma out of it," Dombroski said.

Heroin is now also more lethal, he said: Heroin available locally runs 70
percent pure, while nationally it's 35 percent to 40 percent pure.

Henrico resident Linda Dickerson brought her son, Trevor, to the meeting.
At 13, he's the age at which most students may start experimenting with
drugs, and 18 percent of American high school and college students have
used illegal drugs, according to research.

"We came because you can't get enough good information about this. I'm
concerned about a student going from being the big kid in middle school to
being the little kid in high school and feeling pressured to do things."

Michelle Harika came because she has one son in high school and two
daughters in middle school. She appreciated learning about the street
traffic of drugs and felt more prepared as a parent.

"It's good to know more about this so I can tell them what to be aware of."