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Chesterfield to hold community seminar to tackle growing drug problems

Posted at 8:11 PM, Mar 13, 2012
and last updated 2012-03-13 20:11:46-04

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WTVR)--A growing trend in drug use among youth has prompted some Chesterfield parents, first responders, police and community coalitions to take action.

They want to raise awareness about the emergence of some dangerous designer drugs. This weekend they will hold a seminar for the public to join in the fight.

In addition to a focus on a popular drug 25i, organizers say the public will gain valuable information about the recent increased use of prescription drugs, synthetic marijuana and general substance abuse among youth.

The Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad will sponsor the Community Drug Awareness Seminar.

While the event is open to the public, it is an adult’s only forum.

Medical experts will be on hand, as well as members of S.A.F.E., or Substance Abuse Free Environment. They will be able to shed light on the drug problems plaguing the community and educate the crowd about signs, symptoms and treatment options.

SAFE Executive Director Wayne Frith says this event is timely given the growing problems they’ve seen recently with the hallucinogen 25i. Members of the Richmond Ambulance Authority tell us kids have been getting in trouble with the drug.

Lt. Jennifer Reese tells us one night they had to rush five teens from a party in Richmond to the emergency room because they had all taken the drug. They all suffered brain hemorrhaging.

Lt. Reese says kids don’t really know the true danger of the drug. She adds it’s typical to see a dramatic increase in blood pressure that could lead to broken blood vessels.  That, she says, in turn, can lead to bleeding in the brain.

“We just have to focus on making sure parents know exactly how to spot the use of 25i in their kids,” said Reese. “In order to do that, they must talk to their children.”

Reese says it is refreshing to see so many people in the community pulling together to tackle educating children.

That special community forum is being held at the Winfree Memorial Baptist Church on Midlothian Turnpike on Sunday at 7pm.

A growing trend in drug use among youth has prompted some Chesterfield parents, first responders, police and community coalitions to take action.

They want to raise awareness about the emergence of some dangerous designer drugs. This weekend they will hold a seminar for the public to join in the fight.

In addition to a focus on a popular drug 25i, organizers say the public will gain valuable information about the recent increased use of prescription drugs, synthetic marijuana and general substance abuse among youth.

The Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad will sponsor the Community Drug Awareness Seminar.

While the event is open to the public, it is an adult’s only forum.

Medical experts will be on hand, as well as members of S.A.F.E., or Substance Abuse Free Environment. They will be able to shed light on the drug problems plaguing the community and educate the crowd about signs, symptoms and treatment options.

SAFE Executive Director Wayne Frith says this event is timely given the growing problems they’ve seen recently with the hallucinogen 25i. Members of the Richmond Ambulance Authority tell us kids have been getting in trouble with the drug.

Lt. Jennifer Reese tells us one night they had to rush five teens from a party in Richmond to the emergency room because they had all taken the drug. They all suffered brain hemorrhaging.

Lt. Reese says kids don’t really know the true danger of the drug. She adds it’s typical to see a dramatic increase in blood pressure that could lead to broken blood vessels.  That, she says, in turn, can lead to bleeding in the brain.

“We just have to focus on making sure parents know exactly how to spot the use of 25i in their kids,” said Reese. “In order to do that, they must talk to their children.”

Reese says it is refreshing to see so many people in the community pulling together to tackle educating children.

That special community forum is being held at the Winfree Memorial Baptist Church on Midlothian Turnpike on Sunday at 7pm.