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THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS IS A FIGHT FOR A LIFE

Tuesday, May 4 at the Johnsonburg Fire Hall, Elaine Surma, Senior Narcotic Agent with the Drug Demand Unit in Erie, and Gary Cappello, Senior Consumer Protection Agent with the PA Office of Attorney General, presented the "Are You In The Know?" program to a large crowd of parents, law enforcement personnel, educators, and concerned citizens.  The program focused on sex, drugs/alcohol, 'rents' and raves.  It was a program filled with vital information, and presented in a manner that left little doubt that Elk County has a serious problem with drugs and alcohol.

The primary core of today's article will be raves, drugs and the Internet, what is popular today, how it is used, and dangers involved.

According to Surma, raves are the "Dance of Darkness." The rave goes on for hours or days, with loud music that is disconnected and without boundaries.  The "club drug" Ecstasy or "X" as it is sometimes called, is the primary drug used.  Other names for Ecstasy include, XTC, hug drug, love drug, or essence.  The rave is billed as a non-alcohol dance and drug free, but a child will never ask their parent if they can go to this "dance."

What happens at the rave is one of the results of the drug Ecstasy.  It is odorless and tasteless and it takes only a small amount to cause a teen to become woozy, and then fall into a deep sleep.  When they wake up there is no recollection of what happened to them while they were sleeping.  This is when most sexual assaults and rapes take place, leaving the teen to deal with the ultimate consequences of the evening.

Beware if your teen is wearing "jelly bracelets," which is now the latest rage in local schools.  These bracelets let the aggressor know what sexual act they can and should perform on the teen.

Ecstasy is a sensory drug that affects all the senses.  It's national symbol is the butterfly.  Contrary to what the teen is told, it does not raise the serotonin level in the brain.  It also can raise the body's temperature from a normal 98.6 degrees to as high as 110 degrees, burning up vital organs in the process.

Drugs are sold to make money, and the dealer doesn't care what he sells.  Many drugs are not what they appear to be, so many times the teen uses what he thinks is Ecstasy the first time, with little or no effect.  However, the next time the teen uses again, taking what he thinks he took the first time, is in fact something else, and his body can not handle the drug.  Damage, illness, or death can occur.  And yet today's kids just don't think this can happen to them.

Marijuana is another "club drug," popular in Elk County.  However, the THC in marijuana today is not the level it was 30 years ago.  It is at extremely high levels and can cause hallucinations, and is considered to be a carcinogenic.  One of the problems today, is that teen's parents still get high in front of their kids, giving the "its OK to do this, too, sign."

LSD was a popular drug with a small population in the 60's.  It is back today, and is a very strong hallucinogenic.  One small drop placed on a piece of paper on the tongue can affect a person for six to ten hours.  However, the biggest problem with this drug is that it stores in the spinal column and returns at liberty to the user, causing additional highs and hallucinations.

GHB, another very popular drug, costs $10 a swig, and is the biggest problem today in Northwest Pennsylvania.  The victim never knows it is in their drink.  First they feel woozy, and then fall into a deep sleep, waking up with no memory of the event.  It is similar to Ecstasy.

Ketamine or "Special K" as it is sometimes called, is a drug used primarily by veterinarians to sedate animals.  Today, local kids take it to go to "K Land," a place where they may never come back from.  The drug causes "out of body experiences, called the fourth plateau."

Prescription drugs are another one of the most popular forms of pills used for getting high in Elk County, with Oxycontin being the most popular.  Other popular drugs are Aderall, Klonopin, and Xanax.

Oxycontin is a powerful narcotic that was made for cancer patients with severe pain.  It gives the same rush as heroin, and is as addictive.  Heroin is the only drug that will relieve the cravings after a user is unable to obtain more Oxycontin.

Over the counter cough syrups are also being used among local teens, and when used in large amounts will cause hallucinations.

Surma suggests that parents keep all prescription drugs and some OTC drugs in safe places, not in the medicine cabinet which is too accessible, not only their own kids but visitors in the home.  Prescription drugs are the number one cause for home break-ins in the area.

Hard drugs was the next category discussed by Surma, who reported that heroin is the number one drug of choice in Elk County, and most of the heroin obtained locally has come from Columbia.

"In 1978, this drug was found only in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia," Surma said.  "Today, it is a problem in rural NW Pennsylvania and right here in your communities.

"This dangerous addictive drug takes 30 days to get out of your system.  After that there is the never-ending psychological struggle to not use that continues for the rest of the user's life, and yet our kids don't believe us when we tell them that.  Parents need to get hold of all the literature they can and read up on these drug issues, because they are the only ones who can stop their kids from using."

According to Surma, Methamphetamine has become a nightmare in western Pennsylvania.  It all started four years ago with four meth labs in the Titusville area, and is now fast becoming a problem for all counties in the area.  To date, no meth labs have been found in Elk County, but the belief that they are on the horizon is strong.

"One hit of meth on a pipe will turn you into a full blown junkie," Surma said.  "It leads to paranoid schizophrenia, and kills our young people right and left."

Surma noted that the by-product of meth labs are very deadly to anyone who comes in contact with it, and everyone should be careful not to handle any coolers or other suspicious items found abandoned in the woods.

"One of the questions most asked is, where do the kids in Elk County hear about these drugs?" said Gary Cappello.  "The answer is very simple, on the TV, in school, and on the Internet.

"The Internet is inhabited by thieves, conmen, perverts and child molesters, all a conduit for danger.  At this time, the Internet is unmonitored."

Cappello said anyone can buy recipes for bombs and drugs on the Internet making everyone victims of social terrorism.

"Why the Internet?" asked Cappello.  "Because of its 'anonymity,' with chat rooms being the biggest problem."

Chat rooms and messaging can be used for less than appropriate messages, and all parents should make sure their child does not have a web page, which can put the child in a dangerous place.

Cappello noted that some of the warning signs that their child might be using the Internet inappropriately are: Excessive use, especially at night, phone calls from strangers, graphic downloading, and face-to-face contact with a stranger.  He recommends that parents put computers in an open place where children can be seen, and again pointed out that parents must be in the know to stop the problems.

The program was sponsored by the Johnsonburg School District, The Guidance Center, and the Community of Concerned Citizens.