DANGERS ABOUND EVEN AT ALCOHOL-FREE PARTIES

While drinking may not be occurring at alcohol - free clubs and events,
other dangers may lurk, a drug educator told a group of Hilo parents Tuesday
night.

Gary Shimabukuro's presentation at Waiakea Intermediate School is one of
several designed to inform parents of school children about the perils of
various drugs.

Shimabukuro's presentation Tuesday focused on rave parties, which he said
frequently involves drugs such as Ecstasy, as well as "date - rape" drugs.

Shimabukuro said the possibility of drug use means parents are right to be
wary about even alcohol - free events. He said lighting and music are used
to create a high - energy atmosphere attractive to young people as well as
those who prey on them.

"It's not all about dancing," he told the group of about 30 parents. "If you
want to send your kids to a non - alcoholic club, go check - if they're not
serving alcohol, what are they serving?"

The presentations are billed as for parents only because of the contents
which include video clips of rave participants talking about their drug use
as well as examples of the various ways drugs are concealed and distributed.

He said tablets of Ecstasy, which is a cross between a stimulant and an
hallucinogen, can placed in or among candy and even strung together to
resemble candy bracelets.

Both Ecstasy and methamphetamine or "ice" causes users to grind their back
teeth, resulting in unusually worn enamel, Shimabukuro said.

He told parents to watch for such items as glow sticks, feather boas and
even stuffed animals because they are used by people under the influence of
Ecstasy to enhance the visual and sensual experience. Fumes from Vicks
Vaporub are also used in that way, he said.

Shimabukuro also told parents to educate their children about the threat
from date - rape drugs such as Rohypnol, also known as "roofies," ketamine
and gamma hydroxybutyrate or GHB.

Such drugs, which can be slipped into someone's drink, often cause memory
loss so the victim might not be aware they've been sexually assaulted.

He said sometimes a couple will be "dosed" to incapacitate the male, leaving
the female vulnerable.

"Tell your daughters they'll dose both of you to get what they want," he
said.

Shimabukuro said date - rape drugs, as well as LSD, can be easily disbursed
using a bottle of eye drops.

"They're using everyday things to store their drugs," he said.

Shimabukuro's next presentation at Waiakea Intermediate will be on ice and
is scheduled for February. He will also speak on that subject Tuesday at
Kalanianaole School in Papaikou.

The presentations by Shimabukuro, founder of Laulima Pacific, a non - profit
drug education group based in Honolulu, are jointly funded by schools and
parent - teachers associations.