Pubdate: Tue, 31 Jan 2012
Source: Times Tribune, The (KY)
Copyright: 2012 - The Corbin Times-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.thetimestribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2734
Author: Jeff Noble
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

DRUG FORUM HELD AT CORBIN HIGH

Rapid Rise of Synthetic Marijuana, Bath Salts Discussed

At a point in Monday night's drug forum at Corbin High School, 
Operation UNITE President/CEO Karen Kelly asked everyone in the 
auditorium to stand up. Then Kelly said the following words.

"If you do not know somebody who's been affected by drugs, please sit 
down." Only two people did.

The demonstration showed how drugs have taken a toll on Corbin and 
the Tri-County region. And it was the focus of the forum called 
"Addicted: A Dose of Reality." Held at the school's Betty Hamilton 
Center for Performing Arts, the 90-minute presentation showed the 
stark reality of how easy and available drugs -- both legal and 
illegal -- are to students and adults.

More important to the sponsors of the event, the event talked about 
the rapidly rising problem of synthetic marijuana and bath salts, 
which were referred to as "synthetic cocaine."

"The drug dilemma that's taking place in our region is probably the 
strongest drug invasion in America. It's scary," said Corbin 
Independent School Superintendent Ed McNeel, who sponsored the forum 
along with Operation UNITE, the Bell-Knox-Whitley Kentucky Agency for 
Substance Abuse Policy (BKW KY ASAP), and the Corbin Community Coalition.

McNeel then introduced Kim Crowley, the Corbin School Board Chair, 
who painted what she called a surprising picture of the drug scene 
that's cropped up in recent months. "As a parent, I did not realize 
how prevalent these drugs are out there. I don't want to scare you, 
but I do. I want you to take it to heart and spread it. The UNITE 
people have excellent information for you tonight... What you'll hear 
affects Whitley, Knox, Laurel and neighboring counties."

Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney also spoke, ending with a note on the 
pending ordinance to ban and prohibit the sale of synthetic marijuana 
in the city. "It's fairly new to me, this drug problem. Our 
commissioners are aware of this and we will have our first reading 
Monday, February 13, on the ordinance."

Kelly and UNITE's Treatment Director, Elissa Price, came armed with 
information, exhibits and pictures to get those at the forum 
involved. Following a video presentation telling parents, "Times have 
changed. We're not in Mayberry anymore," Kelly pointed out the 
average age of first time abusers in Southeastern, Southern and 
Eastern Kentucky is 11 years old.

"The availability of drugs is easy in high school and even middle 
schools. However, some of the most dangerous drugs are not those 
illegal, but prescription drugs, from a family's medicine cabinet. "

It was Price who discussed the kind of drugs available in the region 
today and led off with a short statement that the price paid by 
families involved is high.

"I watch every single day moms and dads walk away from their kids."

 From there she showed classifications of drugs, such as sedatives, 
opiates like OxyContin and Methadone, stimulants like cocaine and 
meth, the regular form of marijuana, and synthetic marijuana, which 
Price said, "They're sold as incense, bath salts and plant food... 
Scooby Snax and K2... This is why we're here."

For the next few minutes, the crowd of about 80 inside the auditorium 
heard the basics of synthetic marijuana -- what it is, what it's made 
up of, the slang terms used to describe it and how much it costs.

Price stated, "How big is the problem? One mother told me, 'I bought 
this for my child, and while it's not pot, it's legal. They're going 
to do it anyway.' Duh? Synthetic marijuana can be up to 700 times 
stronger than (regular) marijuana... It's like playing Russian 
Roulette. You never know what you're getting."

And that also pertains to synthetic cocaine, said Price. "They're 
known as 'Ivory Wave' or 'Cloud 9.' They're not epsom salts, or stuff 
you buy from Bath and Body Works. The illegal ones sell for $30 and 
they're made in China and South Africa. They're not actual bath 
salts, they're synthetic cocaine."

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says synthetic cocaine is 
being sold in convenience stores, gas stations, smoke shops and on 
the Internet.

Both Price and Kelly discussed treatment, the "Drug Court" program, 
and most of all, what parents can do for their children.

"There are five steps on talking to your kids about drugs. Be kind. 
Be specific. Be consistent. Be reasonable. And recognize good 
behavior... The parent that does know and wants to do something about 
drugs are the ones we want. If you suspect their problem (with 
drugs), find out about it early on. It's better than seeing them in 
jail. Or, in my friend's child's case, dead," said Kelly, who has a 
daughter at Corbin High School and who was present at the forum.

Before the program ended, Circuit Court Judge Cathy Prewitt was 
recognized and spoke about the drug situation, adding, "I've never 
been so scared. Synthetic marijuana is taking over, but you folks are 
taking the first step by coming out here tonight."

Also announced by Kelly was that $10,000 would be available to Corbin 
from UNITE for volunteers, civic groups, churches and other 
organizations to fight the drug problem.

And she closed with a comment that went beyond money or endorsements 
by celebrities.

"Only Corbin can say, 'I've had enough,'" Kelly said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom