EXPERTS TO DISCUSS ECSTASY

DEERFIELD The club drug Ecstasy is the focus of the annual conference
of the Lake County Chapter of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug
Dependence Association.

The meeting is designed for professionals and students in the fields of
substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, medical services,
social work, social services, corrections and court services.

"It is becoming an epidemic, especially in the suburbs," said Beth
Epstein, association chair. "It's taking a toll on middle-class
America. All people, including parents and professionals need to become
more familiar with the dangers of this prevalent drug."

Ecstasy has become popular with young people at dance clubs and rave
parties.

Youths also may unwittingly use PMA, a powerful hallucinogen often
mistaken for Ecstasy. Earlier this year, the deaths of three Chicago-
area young people were linked to PMA.

Keynote speaker Tom Delgatto, outreach representative for Hazelden
Chicago, will speak on "The Misery of Ecstasy" at the morning session.
Experts say that taking Ecstasy can quickly raise body temperature and
heart rate, leading to kidney failure, heart attack or stroke.

The afternoon session features Gail L. Brooks on "Living, Learning and
Letting Go."

The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 8 at Baxter
Healthcare headquarters in Deerfield. It is open to the public and
costs $30.