Campaign targets deadly club drugs

When Valley parents were asked if their teens had tried the club drug Ecstasy, only 1 percent said "Yes." Well, folks, you’re in for a surprise: 13 percent of children admit they’ve used the drug.

"The really scary number is that more than half the teens in the Valley said they know someone who has used Ecstasy or methamphetamine," said Thomas Hendrick, director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. "That defines what their peer norms are. When they see half their peers using these drugs, it becomes harder not to be a user."

Ecstasy use in the Valley is 18 percent higher than the national average, according to the group’s research. To combat that, the partnership has teamed up with the Arizona chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Maricopa County Attorney Richard Romley for a campaign that targets Valley parents and teens. The group will launch a two-year campaign of public service announcements and public education at a news conference today.

"I don’t think kids are aware that these are not harmless drugs," said Scottsdale pediatrician Dr. Gary Mallis. "You can die from a single dose of Ecstasy."

Kids might not know that because Valley drug dealers peddle pills stamped with "Harry Potter" logos, the Nike swoosh and other teen-friendly markings. But because Ecstasy raises the body’s temperature, the user can develop hyperthermia, which can then progress to liver failure, kidney failure and death.

Methamphetamine, a stimulant, can speed up the heart rate, causing stroke and death, Mallis said.

"It also makes the user feel confused and develop paranoia, which can create violent and aggressive behavior that can lead to all sorts of other problems," he said.

But some users aren’t just looking for a high.

"Girls are using meth as a weight-loss drug because they think they’ll be able to drop 20 pounds in a couple of weeks," said Shelly Miller of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. "But it’s highly addictive and tough to get off once you’re hooked."