DEA is speaking out on drug use

Jace Radke

Thursday, May 23, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the National Foundation for Women Legislators are partnering to educate the public about the threat of club drugs and how drugs fund terrorism.

Fifty press conferences, one in each state, were scheduled for today, with Nevada's taking place in Reno, DEA resident agent Mark Destito said.

"It used to be in the DEA that we did our jobs and kept our mouths shut, but now we're beginning to do a lot with the public," said Destito, who is based in Reno. "This administration seems to be moving toward partnerships and getting the information out there."

DEA Director Asa Hutchinson was to kick off the press conferences in Washington with Robin Read, president of the National Foundation for Women Legislators.

"The focus of this partnership is helping community leaders to understand the dangers of club drug abuse, and then to spread this message within their communities," Hutchinson said. "We want to combine DEA's knowledge about these drugs with the legislators' commitment to taking that message to the country."

Nevada Assemblywoman Sharron Angle of Reno, who was scheduled to appear at today's press conference in Reno, said that the myth that Ecstasy and other club drugs are safe must be dispelled.

"People are out there saying these drugs are safe, but we know that they are lethal," Angle said.

Ecstasy use is skyrocketing among teens and young adults, with more than 12 percent of teens in the country reporting that they've tried the drug at least once.

Locally, Danielle Heird, 21, died in July 2000 after taking Ecstasy and spending a night out at C2K, a club at The Venetian.

Officials will also be addressing drug-funded terrorism, which was the subject of a public service commercial developed by the DEA and the National Foundation of Women Legislators.