Pubdate: Sun, 4 Dec 2005
Source: Napa Valley Register (CA)
Copyright: 2005 Pulitzer Community Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.napanews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/736
Author: Marsha Dorgan, Register Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

THE AGONY OF ECSTASY

There have been six cases involving the drug Ecstasy at Napa public
high schools since the beginning of the school year. Three students
have been arrested and complaints have been filed against the other
students, according to Napa Police Sgt. Terry Gonsalves.

Ecstasy is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that is chemically known as
MDMA.

The latest arrest happened at Vintage High School last week. A
16-year-old boy, who was arrested at the high school, had been
reported as a runaway, Gonsalves said.

The school police resource officer Dan Risley determined the boy was
the reported runaway and called the student's father.

"When the father came to school, he brought along some orange pills he
had found in his son's room and gave them to Risley," Gonsalves said.
"The pills tested positive for Ecstasy."

"When the boy was arrested, he had 23 $10 bills in his possession. The
pills sell for $10 each," Gonsalves said.

The boy's father told Gonsalves that he also found drug packaging
material in his son's room.

Ecstasy is a homemade drug. The orange pills had a logo of an apple
inscribed on them. Each pill is placed in a small plastic coin bag.
The orange pills were in bags that had a Batman logo on them,
Gonsalves said.

"Earlier this year, we confiscated some blue pills with dolphin logos
on them," he said. "The pills can be any color with any logo the
manufacturer wants. ... It's their way of putting their identity on
the drug."

Gonsalves does not believe the students are manufacturing Ecstasy.
"They are buying it from the manufacturer, packaging and selling it.
Ecstasy looks like homemade pills in homemade packaging."

Most of the tips about drug dealing in the high schools come from the
students, Vintage High School Assistant Principal Katy Dunlap said.

"Kids are generally concerned about their friends. They care about
each other and their welfare," Dunlap said. "They also have a good
relationship with the school resource officer."

Any student found using, selling or under the influence of drugs or
alcohol automatically receives a five-day suspension, she said.

"The school resource officer becomes involved from the beginning. A
meeting is set up with child welfare, the parents, the dean of
students and the student," Dunlap said.

"At the meeting everyone comes up with a contract for the student or
expulsion, which is determined by how many times the student has been
found with drugs or alcohol on campus."

Also if a senior class student is found to be in possession of drugs
in the spring semester, he or she is not allowed to participate in
graduation ceremonies, Dunlap said.

Dunlap said school officials search the students and their backpacks
only if they have reasonable cause to do so.

"We have strict policies we must follow in that area," he
said.

The school has drug prevention programs and counselors on campus to
educate kids about the dangers of using drugs.

Ecstasy, also known as hug, beans and love drug, is more popular with
the younger generation.

Chronic users of the drug perform poorly on certain cognitive and
memory tests, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Use of Ecstasy can interfere with the body's ability to regulate
temperature, leading to a sharp increase in body temperature,
resulting in liver, kidney and cardiovascular failure. It can also
cause confusion, depression and severe anxiety, which can happen days
and even weeks after using the drug.

Ecstasy may also contain other substances, such as methamphetamine and
LSD, putting users at further risk.

Sgt. Gonsalves, who oversees the police department's youth services,
urges parents to pay attention to what their children are doing.

"Take a look around their room and check for things out of the
ordinary, such as packaging material. Look for changes in attitude,
appetite and school. Be concerned if your child is hanging around with
adults, know your kids' friends and where they hang out," Gonsalves
said. "And most of all set a good example and be a good role model."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake