ALCOHOL IS STILL MOST USED 'DRUG' ON CAMPUSES, HEALTH OFFICIAL SAYS

Sedatives used in date rapes and Ecstasy gaining popularity at
colleges.

While Ecstasy and date rape drugs are gaining popularity among college
students, alcohol still is the biggest drug problem on campuses, a
local expert told a Northampton Community College audience Monday.

Andrea Richmond, the director of outpatient services and drug and
alcohol services for St. Luke's Bangor Health, spoke as part of a
series of events at NCC to observe Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness
Week.

Richmond's speech focused on what she said was dispelling incorrect
information about drugs.

"Myths need to be turned into facts," she said.

"Alcohol's still the No. 1 drug -- and it is a drug -- on college
campuses," she said. "The second is marijuana; the third are
prescription drugs, like Ritalin."

Richmond runs discussion groups at Moravian and Lafayette colleges on
drugs, and she said drug use is prevalent on campuses.

She said Rohypnol and GHB, both sedatives commonly known as the date
rape drugs, and Ecstasy are gaining popularity. And she said heroin
has become a problem with adolescents.

She said Ritalin is abused by snorting or injecting it. Snorting the
drug can cause nosebleeds and holes in the sinuses, and injecting it
can leave abscesses where it's injected.

She said Rohypnol and GHB are dangerous because they are odorless and
tasteless and they deplete memory. She said it is crucial to never
leave a beverage unattended.

"Your drink should always be covered," she said. "Anytime you leave a
drink, even with a friend, you throw that drink away."

Richmond gave a 30-question quiz about marijuana to judge knowledge of
myths surrounding the drug, as well as to fuel the discussion.

Many in the audience were surprised to learn that marijuana is both
physically and psychologically addictive.

"Marijuana drives people who use it to do things they wouldn't
normally do," Richmond said.

She said the part of the brain that handles rational thought does not
receive enough oxygen while someone is using marijuana. THC, the main
chemical in marijuana, clings to fat in the brain, blocking oxygen
from brain cells.

Richmond stressed that once brain cells die, they cannot be
replaced.

Richmond said effects of marijuana include memory loss, respiratory
problems, chronic cough, attention and learning impairments, lack of
concern for rules and laws, propensity for behavioral problems,
depression, panic attacks, violence and paranoia.

Also, while using marijuana, one's heart rate will increase up to 50
times the normal rate.

She said another problem with marijuana is that a person is not always
getting the same form of the drug. Many substances, including kerosene
and rat poison, are added to the leaves to increase the potential high.

"You don't just get dried leaves," she said.

Richmond said the most important thing she can stress is that what
people do today will affect them down the line.

She said, "Start protecting yourself from what's out there."