CITY LEADERS PROPOSE ORGANIZING DRUG SEMINARS

LOUISVILLE -- Judy Nehring traditionally has had no problem talking to her
three school-aged daughters about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and other
risky choices.

But in the days following the ecstasy-related death of former Monarch High
School student Brittney Chambers, the Nehring family faced a new challenge.

"I'd seen the drug ecstasy, but I really wasn't familiar with that
particular drug at all," said Nehring, the mother of a Monarch High sophomore.

Chambers went into a coma on Jan. 28 at her 16th birthday party after
taking ecstasy and drinking too much water. She was removed from life
support Feb. 2.

In the aftermath of Chambers' death, Nehring and other parents say, they
began talking with their children about a drug they had little information
about.

"Over the past couple of weeks I'm sure every parent has talked to their
kids," Nehring said. "But there wasn't any discussion before on this
specific thing because we weren't really aware of it, it wasn't one of
those things you talk about."

That may change with the help of Louisville's City Council.

Several council members proposed last week that the city band together with
the Police Department to hold educational meetings and write memos
detailing the drugs available and how they affect users.

"We need to take the lead," said City Councilman Chuck Sisk.

He is suggesting city-sponsored seminars that would be led by police, drug
counselors and intervention specialists. He said the goal is to help
residents become more aware of what the drugs look like, what crimes they
are linked to and how they can affect users.

At a workshop session on Tuesday, the City Council will review the idea.

"This would allow us as parents to become better informed and understand
what the drugs are and what to look for and become aware of what's on the
market," Sisk said.

Sandra Harrison, the mother of a senior at Monarch High School, said times
have changed since she was a teenager.

"It's very tough and I shudder to think about my grandchildren," Harrison said.

"Frankly, our daughters, even if they need a Tylenol, don't take anything
from anybody," she said. "They never drink anything they don't open. They
don't even take a glass of Coke at a party. It's really sad, but you can't
really trust what's out there."