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19 April 2002
High School Journalists Learn Alcohol and Club Drugs Present at Proms and Grad Celebrations
School Newspapers Latest Tool to Reduce Consumption

El CAJON, CA – Ecstasy use is on the rise and consumption of this deadly drug is invading high school proms and grad celebrations.

“We know students use ecstasy and other club rugs at proms and graduations because they tell us they do,” said Melina Mena, a sophomore at El Cajon Valley High School.

Mena, a member of the CASA Student Leadership Faction, a Communities Against Substance Abuse student group working to reduce underage drinking and other drug use, is a reporter at her high school newspaper—the Smoke Signal.

She and dozens of other high school journalists gathered at El Cajon Community Center to learn more about the nation’s and San Diego County’s latest trend: Club Drugs.

Club drugs are dangerous, illicit substances used at dance clubs, rave and circuit parties, and even homes and schools. The most popular drugs in the San Diego region are ecstasy, GHB, ketamine, and rohypnol.

At the Safe and Sober Prom and Graduation Forum, students learned about ecstasy or MDMA, a stimulant capable of elevating the user’s heart rate and blood pressure to the point of death.

They also found out that GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) is a central nervous system stimulant that has become the rage at many clubs, gyms, “rave,” “circuit,” and even home parties. After taking GHB, a person can pass out in 15 minutes and fall into a coma within half an hour.

Ketamine, Special K, or Kit Kat, as it is commonly called, is an opiate-like anesthetic that when snorted or smoked can cause vomiting, convulsions, paranoia, and aggressive/violent behavior.

They also discovered Rohypnol or roofies, the opiate-like substance capable of producing blackouts and complete loss of memory, from the many campaigns exposing it as a “date rape” drug.

The students also found out what really goes on at rave and circuit parties.

“Over 75 percent of people go to rave parties to use drugs,” said James Mock, who goes to rave parties undercover and videotapes drug activity at such events. On this occasion, he showed students infrared video of young people under the influence of ecstasy. “The largest percentage of teens at these events want to know ‘Where I can get some?’ They also think they know how to take the drug (ecstasy) ‘responsibly,’ so it’s okay to take the drug,” added the retired police officer whose best friend, another cop, got killed by a drunk driver.

People think these so-called “Fun” or “Love” Drugs are harmless. They are wrong.

“Ecstasy use among teens is skyrocketing because the perception of risk is very low,” said Teri Christensen, from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, which recently revealed a study that proves this trend. “

According to PDFA’s study, ecstasy use among American teens doubled between 1995 and 2000, from 5 to 10 percent. It jumped another 20 percent over the past year, putting lifetime use at 12 percent. This means that nearly 3 million teens across the country have now tried Ecstasy, which puts the drug ahead of or on par with teen experimentation with cocaine, crack, heroin, LSD and methamphetamine.

Club Drugs can produce a range of harmful effects, including death. When used with alcohol, these substances can be even more harmful.

“People don’t know what they are taking,” added Mena who, like the rest of the journalists, will send this message to friends and peers in stories published in their high school newspapers. “People are only hearing about the pleasurable effects. Kids and parents should know Club Drugs are not safe. They are not ‘love’ or ‘feel-good’ drugs. People are dying.”

Last year, 11 people in San Diego County had Club Drugs in their systems at the time of death; three of those had Ecstasy.

Studies have also shown that Ecstasy emergency room cases jumped from 421 in 1995 to over 4,500 in 2000, a tenfold increase nationwide.

Students also got a lesson on the deadly consequences of alcohol consumption.

Larry McNamer shared his personal tragedy. His son also got killed by a drunk driver.

“His life was taken by someone who chose to get behind the wheel impaired,” said McNamer.

Law enforcement representatives talked to the students about California’s zero tolerance law on underage drinking.

According to state law, anyone under the age of 21 who attempts to purchase alcohol can be fined $100 to $250 and/or be required to do 36 hours of community service. The fine for adults who purchase alcohol beverages for minors is a maximum of $1,000 and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service. Minors in possession of alcohol can receive a fine of up to $500 and/or 24-48 hours of community service, and if you’re under 21 and drink and drive, you can lose your license for one year.

Use of alcohol and other drugs is associated with the leading causes of death and injury among teenagers and young adults, according to the National Centers for Disease Control.

In the last two years, 29 people under 21 in San Diego County died with alcohol in their system.

“Teenagers don’t need alcohol or drugs to have a good time. It’s dangerous, stupid and illegal,” said Mena who also encouraged parents to not give alcohol to students or host underage drinking parties. She also passed out brochures warning parents and other adults that it is against the law to provide alcohol to minors.

The Safe and Sober Prom and Graduation forum is sponsored every spring by the East County Hospitality Resource Panel just before proms and graduation events. The Panel is dedicated to fostering responsible principles and practices in the sale and service of alcohol beverages through collaborative efforts between the food and beverage industry, government, education, and prevention groups to promote a safe community.