drdĒv
05-21-2005, 07:13 AM
Prescription drugs were focus of program
BY MARCELLE HANEMANN
THE DAILY NEWS
BOGALUSA n Last week, the Bogalusa Police Department was called to action after two junior high school students reportedly got a hold of some drugs and ended up in the hospital. A man suspected of providing the drugs was quickly located and arrested.
This week, Detective Michael Bracey was back at the school telling an assembly of students about the dangers and unpleasantries of drug use. Bracey successfully got the kids' attention and held it for about 45 minutes as he focused primarily on prescription drugs.
Prescription drugs kill more people, due to overdose, than "so-called hard core" drugs, said Bracey. People mistakenly think that because a doctor must prescribe the drugs, they are safe, he said.
But a prescription drug is only good for the person to whom it is prescribed and only in the prescribed dosage, said Bracey. Taking unprescribed drugs can "make you look really dumb to your friends and you could wake up dead," he said.
Drugs like Loracet, Oxycontin, Methadone and Xanax can cause stinky perspiration, vomiting, explosive diarrhea, uncontrollable shaking, brain damage, nerve damage and death, said Bracey.
"Methadone was probably responsible, in the last two years, for more overdose deaths in this parish than any other drug," he said.
The detective urged the students to spread the information about the dangers of the drugs to their friends and even their parents.
"Tell your parents they should lock up their medicine cabinets," said Bracey. "Most kids get prescriptions drugs from their parents."
Students should tell an adult if they know of someone involved drugs, so they can provide help, he said.
"If you come across someone who has taken drugs and fallen asleep, don't assume they can sleep it off," said Bracey. "You have to tell somebody. Because how are you going to feel the next day if they are dead? You could save somebody's life."
And if someone offers them prescription drugs to take or sell, they should decline, he said.
"It's a crime," said Bracey. "You would go to jail. It's a felony. You'd be in Florida Parishes with your head shaved. How cool is that?"
The detective also warned about dextromethorphan, or DXM, an ingredient in some over-the-counter cough syrups.
"You probably need 20 or 30 capsules to get high," he said. "But then you'll also get over 2,000 milligrams of acetaminophen. You know what acetaminophen does to your liver? It kills it."
The kids jumped in when Bracey asked for questions and gave out "squishy brain" toys to those who took part. One child even answered another's question when the detective could not.
Abagadro is marijuana mixed with Loracet, the child said.
"I never stop learning," said Bracey.
Principal Alva Martin and Jerry O. Payne, superintendent of Bogalusa schools, wrapped up the program by thanking Bracey and encouraging the students to take care of themselves and to stay away from all drugs.
"It's important," said Payne. "You can say no."
http://www.edailynews.info/articles/2005/0...news/news05.txt (http://www.edailynews.info/articles/2005/05/20/news/news05.txt)
BY MARCELLE HANEMANN
THE DAILY NEWS
BOGALUSA n Last week, the Bogalusa Police Department was called to action after two junior high school students reportedly got a hold of some drugs and ended up in the hospital. A man suspected of providing the drugs was quickly located and arrested.
This week, Detective Michael Bracey was back at the school telling an assembly of students about the dangers and unpleasantries of drug use. Bracey successfully got the kids' attention and held it for about 45 minutes as he focused primarily on prescription drugs.
Prescription drugs kill more people, due to overdose, than "so-called hard core" drugs, said Bracey. People mistakenly think that because a doctor must prescribe the drugs, they are safe, he said.
But a prescription drug is only good for the person to whom it is prescribed and only in the prescribed dosage, said Bracey. Taking unprescribed drugs can "make you look really dumb to your friends and you could wake up dead," he said.
Drugs like Loracet, Oxycontin, Methadone and Xanax can cause stinky perspiration, vomiting, explosive diarrhea, uncontrollable shaking, brain damage, nerve damage and death, said Bracey.
"Methadone was probably responsible, in the last two years, for more overdose deaths in this parish than any other drug," he said.
The detective urged the students to spread the information about the dangers of the drugs to their friends and even their parents.
"Tell your parents they should lock up their medicine cabinets," said Bracey. "Most kids get prescriptions drugs from their parents."
Students should tell an adult if they know of someone involved drugs, so they can provide help, he said.
"If you come across someone who has taken drugs and fallen asleep, don't assume they can sleep it off," said Bracey. "You have to tell somebody. Because how are you going to feel the next day if they are dead? You could save somebody's life."
And if someone offers them prescription drugs to take or sell, they should decline, he said.
"It's a crime," said Bracey. "You would go to jail. It's a felony. You'd be in Florida Parishes with your head shaved. How cool is that?"
The detective also warned about dextromethorphan, or DXM, an ingredient in some over-the-counter cough syrups.
"You probably need 20 or 30 capsules to get high," he said. "But then you'll also get over 2,000 milligrams of acetaminophen. You know what acetaminophen does to your liver? It kills it."
The kids jumped in when Bracey asked for questions and gave out "squishy brain" toys to those who took part. One child even answered another's question when the detective could not.
Abagadro is marijuana mixed with Loracet, the child said.
"I never stop learning," said Bracey.
Principal Alva Martin and Jerry O. Payne, superintendent of Bogalusa schools, wrapped up the program by thanking Bracey and encouraging the students to take care of themselves and to stay away from all drugs.
"It's important," said Payne. "You can say no."
http://www.edailynews.info/articles/2005/0...news/news05.txt (http://www.edailynews.info/articles/2005/05/20/news/news05.txt)