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The vision of Project Ecstasy is to abate the gaining popularity and abuse of “Club Drugs”, and in conjunction with halting the momentum provide a proactive and successful family involved prevention approach.
Learning from the lessons of drug abuse and drug enforcement in the past, we developed a strategy that combined with enforcement and treatment includes prevention by focusing not only on the at-risk youth but also on the entire family. Intervention and education as to the harmfulness of Club Drugs must both be offered in conjunction with enforcement and treatment to properly address this growing concern. The holistic approach to curbing the gaining popularity of Club Drug abuse will provide (3) three component services in the areas of Enforcement, Prevention (Intervention/Education), and Treatment.
Component (1), Enforcement, will be provided by Detectives seeking out venues, nightclubs, bars, raves, concerts, and parties that are conducive to “Club Drug” use. Undercover agents will determine the extent of the problem, as well as initiate investigations to identify and arrest drug suppliers. Criminal cases will be developed against the business entities that are facilitating drug use or are purposely ignoring the associated illegal activities. The Florida State Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco (ABT) will bring the appropriate administrative and criminal charges against license liquor establishments that serve alcohol to underage drinkers. Licensed liquor establishments will be notified of any and all arrests or drug sales that take place at the business establishments. Detectives will respond and interview all subjects that are admitted to area hospitals for drug overdoses. Criminal cases will be initiated against the suppliers and parents will be contacted by Detectives to further discuss the circumstances relating to the overdose of their son/daughter.
Component (2), Prevention, (Intervention/Education) will provide informational packets developed to warn of the dangers of Club Drugs as well as real time statistical information regarding overdoses and emergency room admissions. Packets will be handed out at community sites, churches, and clubs. Officers will be trained to recognize the observable signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug influence (Drug Recognition Expert). Officers will go to locations where “Club Drug” use is prevalent and make consensual encounters with young people who are believed to be under the influence of drugs. These encounters will be documented and when appropriate information packets will be sent along with parental drug testing kits to the homes of the young adults that are encountered. Depending on the officers trained observation appropriate medical attention will be sought. If medical attention is not required parental contact will be established.
Component (3), Treatment, will provide referrals to treatment facilities for young people who have admitted to or have been recognized to be using Club Drugs. The selected treatment facility will provide intake/screening to determine the needs of the user to include family screening and counseling. The collective vision and full continuum of services provided to stem the gaining popularity and use of Club Drugs incorporates both a the proactive (Intervention/Education) and reactive (Enforcement/Treatment) strategy.
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