EXPERTS ON FRONT LINE OF WAR ON DRUGS GIVE PARENTS TOOLS TO FIGHT ON HOME FRONT

Educators got a crash course Thursday on the latest trends of illegal
drugs and gangs from some experts on the front lines.

The Merced County Office of Education hosted the seminar to provide
awareness and raise money to support its school drug counselor program.

"The teachers can identify students who can potentially have drug
problems and get them to drug counselors," said Mae Pierini, an
organizer with the office of education. "It's intervention."

About 80 participants -- most from Merced County schools -- paid $50
to hear presentations from professionals with addiction treatment
centers and gang experts with the Merced Police Department.

Everything from new slang words for the illegal drug ecstasy to
movies that offer insight to the gangster mentality was presented.

The participants came from as far as Bakersfield and Sacramento to
learn the warning signs that lead many young people to the dangerous
path of drug abuse and gang violence.

"Whatever it takes to get them on the right track," said John
Vigallon, director of Help Adolescent Recovery and Educational
Services. "The sooner we can get to them, the easier they can let go
of the drug abuse."

But he also tries to prevent drug usage by telling teenagers about
the harmful affects on the body. He warns ecstasy can cause
dehydration or accidentally cause water intoxication for those trying
to stay hydrated while getting high.

The party club drug used mostly at raves also causes sexual
dysfunction, he said.

Vigallon said his six-member team of drug counselors has worked
closely with about 2,200 students in Merced County schools, trying to
keep them from the pitfalls. But having teachers spotting those who
are risk is a key component.

He said one Merced County high school vice principal saw a student
with a backpack displaying the word "Thizz," which is slang for
ecstasy. He was able to get the student some help, he said.

Rod Little told the educators how teens hide ecstasy in Tootsie Roll
wrappers and Skittles bags, where drugs are least expected to be. But
he said the candy containers keep changing.

"I don't know what the next one is," said Little, a former narcotics
officer and now a certified instructor on drugs.

He demonstrated what someone looks like while high on
methamphetamine, asking an audience volunteer to twitch nervously.

"It's like a person standing on hot sand on a beach," Little said.

Merced Police Sgt. Tom Trindad talked about the other common danger
to students -- gangs.

"This is a culture. As with any culture, you have to study it to
understand it," said Trindad, who leads the department's gang enforcement unit.

He said gangs are societies seeking economic gain and mutual benefit
for its members with gambling, drugs and vice as its money-makers.
But now gangsters are looking to piracy and ID theft.

"I've got normal kids, who aren't in gangs, who are wearing this
clothing," Trindad said. "That's why you've got to question
everything. There is a meaning for everything."