| ----------------------- Ecstasy Does A Body Harm—Get the Facts
In response to the alarming increases reported in the popularity of a group of very dangerous substances known as “club drugs”, the Council is providing training and education to young people, professionals, parents and concerned citizens. With funding from the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Addiction Services, and in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Council has coordinated events to educate the public about use of ecstasy, the “club drug” of choice among young people, along with the other popular “club drugs” used.
In September, the Council collaborated with Bergen Community College’s Wellness Center to host a conference at the College in their theatre. Special Agent Earl Fielder, Drug Enforcement Administration, Demand Reduction Coordinator, was the featured speaker. Approximately 300 students and faculty attended this event that not only addressed the major issues and concerns related to using and abusing these “club drugs”, but also underscored the obligation that students have in protecting the health and safety of those they know and care about who may be under the influence of these drugs.
This conference was filmed by the Media Department at Bergen Community College. The videotape is available at the Council and can be borrowed for use as an educational tool to students, parents, school faculty, agencies and community groups.
On March 21, 2001, the Council is collaborating with Prevention Links of Union County and High Focus Centers to provide a half-day seminar to high school administrators and counselors on ecstasy and other club drugs. This conference will again feature Special Agent Earl Fielder, as well as William Kane, Director of the New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program. The goal is to educate participants on the unique aspects of these drugs, as well as the implications for school districts and the legal immunity statutes.
Additional training programs will be scheduled to further educate the residents of Bergen County on the facts related to the use of ecstasy and other club drugs.
Back to Top ----------------------- Fatal Vision Goggles Through a grant from the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the Council has “Fatal Vision Goggles” available for loan to individuals, agencies, schools and community groups in Bergen County. As part of a larger DWI prevention program, “Fatal Vision Goggles” are used as a training tool to demonstrate the concept of impairment and the risks and dangers of impaired driving. It underscores the importance of understanding that alcohol or other drug impairment is the result of the chemical’s effect on the brain. The “Fatal Vision Goggles” distort vision and cause behaviors similar to those exhibited by someone under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Only those individuals who participate in training-of-trainer sessions are eligible to borrow the goggles from our loan bank, ensuring that the borrower understands their proper usage. All training participants are encouraged to use the goggles as just one component of a larger alcohol and other drug prevention program.
Since November, the Council has coordinated two successful training events for 74 participants from 12 agencies, 8 schools and 17 municipal alliances in Bergen County. During each session, a representative from law enforcement demonstrated the proper use of the goggles and participants had the opportunity to try them on and experience firsthand, the visual distortions that the goggles cause. John Higgins, Bergen County Prosecutor, spoke at each event, along with Florence Nass, Founder of End DWI. Both events concluded with the viewing of “Stoned Cold”, a powerful and provocative video on drinking and driving created by the trauma team at Hackensack University Medical Center.
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