April 4, 2002--
There's tough talk today from police who say the drug ecstasy is a big problem among Utah kids, and should be a problem for their parents.
"It's neuro-toxic. And what does that mean? It means ecstasy poisons your brain."
West Valley's Police Chief, Alan Kerstein, wants to hold parents responsible if their children are arrested for using the drug ecstasy.
The warning comes at the same time an anti-ecstasy media campaign is launched.
Crime Specialist Karen Scullin has details.
Police say parents need to wake up. Look for the signs-- colorful jewelry with an "X" or an "E" on it, baby binkies and behavior that goes from euphoria to depression and paranoia.
West Valley City Police Chief Alan Kerstein says he's tired of parents having no control over their children, and now says he's planning to do something about it.
Police and anti-ecstasy crusaders are using strong words and painful pictures to get their message across.
A Public Service Announcment from the Utah
Council on Crime Prevention is one of several about to hit the air. But behind the shocking and sometimes emotional P.S.A.'s, are angry words from
local law enforcement....angry at ecstasy users and their parents.
Chief Alan Kerstein/West Valley City Police Dept.: "The kids ought to be smart enough to say no, and the parents ought to have enough control over their children to help them resist."
In fact Kerstein says he's working
with West Valley City administrators to hold parents of ecstasy users financially responsible!
Chief Kerstein: "So what I promise the parents is that at least in West Valley City, if any of your young children are involved in this, we plan to financially seek the cost involved in the arrest and prosecution of your children back to the parents."
Another strong message-- Don't be duped by rave party flyers. One study showed one out of three kids at a rave party are using ecstasy.
Mark Shurtleff/Utah Attorney General: "These flyers will tell Utah kids, their parents, and sometimes their school teachers, they'll always have this line on there, 'No drugs, no alcohol, no violence, no exceptions.' And that's a load of crap."
Bottom line, experts say the anti-ecstasy campaign will never work without the help of parents.
Be informed, know what ecstasy is, and understand kids from all socioeconomic levels are using it.
Barry Jamison/Drug Enforcement Agency: "This drug is wildly popular with young, caucasian, well-educated individuals."
In other words, ignorance could be deadly.
Experts also say ecstasy can cause heat stroke, seizures, and heart and kidney failure.
An interesting note-- all other illegal drug use is going down. But in Utah and around the nation, ecstasy use is skyrocketing.
