PARENTS GET THE LOWDOWN ON A NEW DRUG THREAT

North Stonington - The man in the video took one long drag on a water
pipe and, within moments, was writhing, oblivious to his friends and
unable to stand up.

"It looks like he's having a seizure," said a woman wearing scrubs,
watching the YouTube clip showing someone using Salvia on Tuesday evening.

About 40 parents crowded into the meeting in the Wheeler High School
library to hear information about Salvia divinorum, a legal drug that
causes a short but severe high and whose usage school administrators
said has been spreading through the school, especially in recent weeks.

Principal Michael Susi and assistant principal Chris Sandford
scheduled the meeting last week by auto-calling all the middle school
and high school parents.

Increasing numbers of Wheeler students appear to be using the plant,
part of the sage family, which can be purchased legally in the state
by people older than 18, Susi said. He and Sandford said their
biggest concerns were that people often don't remember what happens
during a Salvia high and that, since students are reportedly using it
in groups, it could lead to injury or to some students taking
advantage of others.

"It alarmed us to the point where we wanted to make sure we notified
you of what we're hearing," Susi said.

Rayallen Bergman, prevention coordinator of the Southeastern Regional
Action Council, gave a presentation about Salvia. He said that the
drug's widespread use seems to be a new and growing issue in the
area, that it's illegal in a bunch of states and that there are yet
to be conclusive studies of longterm effects or drug tests that
screen for the substance, originally used for shamanistic experiences
in parts of Mexico.

Susi said the school is holding talks for each grade at Wheeler
before the end of the year to discuss Salvia use.

"It's frightening. But that's reality. That's where we're at right
now," Susi said.