KING COUNTY, WA - Today, Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County joined with Dr. Michael Copass, Chief of Emergency Medicine for Harborview Medical Center, and Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske to address the growing trend of club drug use among youth in our community.
"We need to set the record straight: 'club drugs' such as Ecstasy and GHB are not safe, are not harmless, and they are not free from causing serious long-term physical and emotional harm," said Plough.
Despite this real danger, the use of these drugs among youth continues to increase in popularity, both across the nation, and within King County.
Locally, data collected in November 2000 from the Washington State Survey on Adolescent Health Behaviors (WSSAHB) shows King County youth using Ecstasy and similar party drugs as early as in 6th grade.
Youth respondents indicated they had used Ecstasy and related compounds within 30 days prior to taking the survey at the following rates:
- 6th Grade - about 1%
- 8th Grade -- about 3.7%
- 10th Grade - 6.2%
- 12th Grade - about 9%
Notably, the King County percentages for 6th, 8th and 12th grades are above the state levels.
"This is a concern for all of us - from law enforcement to teachers, parents to heath care providers," said Plough.
Some examples of the consequences of using 'club drugs':
- Youth who ingest these drugs and drive a vehicle under the influence, risk crashing and fatality of themselves, friends in the car with them, and innocent bystanders.
- Youth who take these drugs risk short term and long term physical effects from these drugs.
- Consequences of the drugs carry-over to academics. Youth who use drugs perform more poorly in school and cannot take advantage of educational opportunities.
In addition to safety, health, and social issues, there are serious legal consequences to using club drugs.
"Our law enforcement efforts are just as tough on these club drugs as they are on the so-called 'street drugs,' said Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske. "We do make arrests. We do go after the sellers. We do go after the buyers. And we will not let you off with a warning."
Being found guilty of possessing Ecstasy, or other club drugs, can lead to the following minimum penalties:
- 90 days in jail
- Followed by one year of community service
- In addition, a fine of at least $1,000.00
"These club drugs are controlled substances. Both parents and young people need to understand that the penalties for possessing these drugs are severe," said Kerlikowske.
Taking a lead role in educating the community about the real dangers of club drugs, Public Health - Seattle & King County announced the development of a collaborative education and outreach campaign to alert parents and teens to the risks associated with club drugs, such as Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, LSD, and inhalants.
- Public Health's Youth Health Services Program has already begun a partnership with teen health clinics in Seattle Public Schools. Last week, youth-targeted fact sheets on club drugs and support information for health educators were distributed to most high schools and some middle schools within the Seattle Public School district.
- Public Health staff will be conducting a health survey at an upcoming Seattle rave to further assess the health problems associated with club drugs.
- Utilizing information from this health assessment, Public Health will be developing a broader campaign aimed at stemming the tide of club drug use through education of youth and their parents.
For more information on 'club drugs,' visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse website at http://www.drugabuse.gov.
