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.