Pubdate: Sun, 08 Dec 2002
Source: State Journal-Register (IL)
Copyright: 2002 The State Journal-Register
Contact:  http://www.sj-r.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/425
Author: Sarah Antonacci

DESIGNER DRUGS 101

Police Officers Learn What To Look For At Conference

What may appear to be novelties strewn around some teens' rooms may 
actually be clues to what they're up to, according to an Illinois State 
Police officer who is an expert in designer drugs.

Pacifiers, glow sticks and bags of Skittles could all be evidence that your 
child may be experimenting with new synthetic drugs that give them feelings 
of euphoria but that could cause long-term damage.

Fifty-two police officers from 35 agencies in three states are in town 
learning about these and other drugs and how to combat the drug problem in 
a training course offered by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's at the 
Hilton Springfield.

George E. Hood, special agent with the DEA and coordinator of the 
conference, said the officers are the best of the best of each department 
and have to meet certain standards in order to participate in the two-week 
conference.

"We know what kind of audience we have so we try to bring in the best 
speakers. We want to keep the level of instruction at a high level so the 
students will appreciate it and remember it. We strive for quality," he said.

On Thursday, ISP trooper Michael Ross addressed the group about the basics 
of "designer drugs." Such drugs include Ecstasy, methamphetamine, 
gamma-hydroxybutyrate or GHB, LSD, Rohypnol and ketamine. Many of these are 
also referred to as "club drugs."

Ross told the officers of one of the first times he'd come across a girl on 
GHB. He was called to a rest stop on a report of a woman exposing her 
breasts. When he arrived, the two young boys and the young girl all seemed 
friendly and helpful.

One of the boys was wanted on a warrant and was put in the back of the 
trooper's squad car. As time passed, the girl kept getting friendlier and 
friendlier and then drowsier and drowsier. Eventually, she fell asleep and 
Ross said he had a hard time waking her and couldn't feel a pulse.

Fearing for her safety, Ross began to ask one of her male friends if she 
was on anything and if so, what it was. The boy's attitude changed. He 
didn't want to help.

Eventually, the boy in the squad car began flailing around and smashed the 
window out of the trooper's car. A truck driver who had witnessed the whole 
episode told the trooper that the youths had been pouring a blue liquid 
down the girl's throat.

Police later discovered it was GHB and it was being stored in a mouthwash 
bottle in the car. The kids had bought a bottle of the substance over the 
Internet.

"They are making these chemicals so fast that they'll put it out on the 
Internet, the kids use it and then they'll take it off the market and do it 
again," Ross said.

Hood said it's often hard for parents to grasp that their children are 
using these types of drugs because they are so easy to hide and because 
they are so different than the drugs available when the parents were young.

"The kids are using them and the parents don't understand why," Hood said. 
"We need parents' help, too.

"Parents need to be aware. Their kid may be leaving the house with a bag of 
Skittles and some lollipops and they think the kids are going to snack all 
night. In reality, the pills are hidden in the candy bag and the lollipops 
are to ease the chewing sensation they get when they take the drug."

Other seemingly innocent items that might prompt a parent to ask questions 
include pacifiers, which are also used to deal with drug-induced chewing 
urges and glow sticks, which can be used for psychedelic light shows while 
under the influence.

Here are some basics on the drugs:

ECSTASY: Also known as XTC, Clarity or Lover's Speed. It's usually found in 
a tablet or capsule form and its effects last three to six hours and 
include confusion, depression, sleep problems, sweating, anxiety, jaw 
clenching and dehydration. In high doses, it can cause an increase in body 
temperature, strokes, seizures and permanent brain damage.

METHAMPHETAMINE: Also known as speed, meth, crystal or crank. It is made 
with over-the-counter ingredients and farm chemicals and is usually smoked, 
snorted, injected or swallowed. Its effects include agitation, aggression, 
excited speech, decreased appetite and in high doses can cause brain 
hemorrhaging.

GHB: Also known as G, Liquid Ecstasy, Easy Lay and Georgia Home Boy. It has 
been known to be used in "date rapes" and is a central nervous system 
depressant that can be homemade. It is found in liquid, powder, tablet or 
capsule form and its effects include relief of anxiety, relaxation, sleep, 
headache and can be deadly when mixed with alcohol.

LSD: Is also known as Acid, Boomers and Yellow Sunshines. It is a 
hallucinogen that can be found in tablet, capsule and liquid forms and can 
also be put on blotter paper. Its effects include dilated pupils, higher 
body temperature, sweating, and tremors and with long-term use can cause 
flashbacks and brain problems.

ROHYPNOL: Also known as Roofies, Rophies and is also used in sexual 
assaults. It is tasteless, odorless and dissolves quickly in any beverage. 
It can be taken orally or by snorting. Its effects include amnesia, 
decreased blood pressure, drowsiness, confusion and can be lethal when 
mixed with alcohol.

KETAMINE: Also known as Special K, K, Vitamin K and Cat Valiums. It is 
normally used for animals as an anesthetic or tranquilizer. It is found in 
liquid form, pill form or as a white powder that is snorted or smoked. 
Effects include hallucination, amnesia, inability to feel pain, hearing 
failure and in high doses can include delirium, depression and fatal 
respiratory problems.

The conference will continue this week with presentations on 
methamphetamine, an increasing problem in central Illinois, and on the 
psychology of addiction.
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MAP posted-by: Beth