Informational Session Focuses On Teen Drug Abuse

By Amber Lester Kennedy Thursday, November 04, 2010

Parents can learn more about drug abuse, including "fake pot," at an information session tonight.

Parents and community members concerned about teen substance abuse are invited to attend a Parent University workshop today at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of Bruton High School. The workshop is co-sponsored by the York County Parent-Teacher Association and the York County School Division.

Dr. Ann Marie Campolattaro, of the Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group, and Sandy Fagan, executive director of Bacon Street, will lead the discussions at the workshop. Campolattaro will discuss the biological effects of substance abuse, while Fagan will address teens’ behavior.

While the discussion will touch on the use and abuse of all drugs, “spice” has been of particular concern to parents in recent months. K2 Spice is a smokable, herbal drug sold legally as “incense.” It is marketed to mimic a marijuana high, but does not show up on most standard urine tests.

K2 Spice is typically a mix of herbs and spices sprayed with a chemical that has psychotropic properties; its side effects include vomiting, seizures, breathlessness and increased heart rate and blood pressure. The drug is not regulated in Virginia, but lawmakers are expected to work on legislation to ban man-made marijuana substitutes when their session begins this winter.

On Oct. 21, a Warhill High School junior believed to be in possession of drugs or spice was sent to an administrator’s office. When a school resource officer responded, the student grabbed the substance and ran from the office. He was later caught off school grounds, but no longer had any substances. He will be charged with disorderly conduct and was suspended from school, according to Major Steve Rubino, of the James City County Police Department.

One week later, two Jamestown High School seniors were caught smoking in a bathroom. The substance, believed to be spice, tested negative for marijuana and has been sent to the State Crime Lab for analysis. Rubino said a decision about criminal charges will be made when the substance has been analyzed and the police have conferred with the Commonwealth Attorney’s office. The school suspended both students, he said.

The WJCC Student Code of Conduct prohibits possession, use, facilitating the use of or being under the influence of controlled drugs or substances, hallucinogenic drugs, imitation controlled substances or other objects or substances that otherwise could cause harm or irritation to a person.

Jamestown Principal Chuck Wagner said any substances — even tobacco products — are of great concern. “Young people who make decisions to engage (or over-engage) in such behaviors risk a number of potentially harmful or even fatal consequences, especially when substances are foreign, misused or their related effects are unknown,” he said. He encourages parents to communicate openly and frequently with their children about substance abuse.

That’s something Fagan will cover in his discussion tonight. Students begin to be exposed to more adult issues around sixth grade, he said. “Our sixth-graders have to cope with new kinds of peer dynamics when they begin middle school,” he said. “Most parents are unaware of how that happens, and our kids have to cope with it whether their parents are involved or not.”

He said after the sixth grade, students’ friendships will change and they might have opportunities to take part in illicit behavior, such as drug experimentation. “We want parents to be involved in helping kids cope with that reality,” Fagan said. “Parents want to believe their children are invulnerable and making healthy decisions.”

The treatment professionals at Bacon Street began to notice teens were using spice about nine months ago, Fagan said. “In the nine months since then, the number of kids using those products and the number of kids having problems with them has grown dramatically,” he said. Out of 162 teens treated for abuse at Bacon Street in the past six months, about half of them had some experience with “fake pot.”

Read more about K2 Spice usage in the Historic Triangle here.