How did 420 originate? Several times over the past few years, HIGH TIMES magazine has attributed "420" to a code used by the San Rafael police department, many others have said the Los Angeles Police Dept. (LAPD) used the code 420 to identify "person smoking marijuana". In fact we contacted the Sacramento PD, San Francisco PD, San Rafael PD and the LAPD and all deny the claim that there is a code 420 that pertains to drug use.

We have looked up the California penal code 420 and it actually has to do with public property trespassing /obstruction, and the Health and Safety code 420, which was repealed in 1995, had to do with mental health and not drug use. Section 420 of the Controlled Substances Act, passed in 1986 in the US code asserts that it is unlawful for a person at least 18 years old to persuade, entice or coerce a younger person to possess, use or accept drugs.

Some web sites suggest another source, such as "the Waldos," (regular old Joe's) who claim to have originated 420 in San Rafael in 1971. The group began meeting every day at 4:20 PM after high school and eventually began to use 420 as a code for marijuana so they could talk about pot in front of parents and teachers. Nonetheless, 420 is now a day when drug users (especially marijuana users) get high. The day is April 20th of each year, but for some it is simply 4:20 pm every day, and it is something we all need to be made aware of.

Remember. This day is far more important in teen culture for drug use than New Years or any other holiday.


In the news:

Study Takes a Closer Look at "Ecstasy" Use

Ecstasy or MDMA, a designer street drug which is structurally similar to methamphetamine (crank) and the hallucinogen mescaline, is being used by younger people.
Nearly 5 percent of 10th and 12th graders and about 2 percent of 8th graders said they had used MDMA. This was the first study (1996) to question 8th, 10th and 12th graders about their own use of the drug. This new data will provide baseline information that will be helpful in tracking future trends in MDMA use from a younger age.

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they are less "underground" and are being held at clubs and other public places. Tickets to "raves" can cost $10.00 - $30.00 each.

Recently the Sacramento Bee published an article on "Raves" in our community, specifically the "Raves" held at Cal Expo. The Bee interviewed us because of our work with adolescent drug users. As a result of the article, Cal Expo will no longer be allowing, "Raves" to be held on their facility.

What about "E" induced psychotic and mood disorders?
According to Dr. David Smith, founder of the Haight Ashbury Clinic in San Francisco, chronic psychedelic after effects may occur or continue long after the ingestion and metabolization of hallucinogens. Four chronic reactions to psychedelic drugs have been reported: (1) prolonged psychotic reactions, (2) depression severe enough to be life-threatening, (3) flashbacks, and (4) exacerbation of preexisting psychiatric illness. A fifth chronic reaction is post-hallucinogen perceptual disorder (PHPD).

People with PHPD develop long-term personality
disruptions. These psychotic reactions are similar to schizophrenic reactions and may occur most often in people with preexisting psychological difficulties, such as pre-psychotic or psychotic personalities. Psychedelic drug-induced personality disruptions can be both severe and prolonged.

We have seen hallucinogen users who suffer from visual impairment long after their hallucinogen use. They will report seeing, "tracers", "perme-tracers", or "trails," lines that trail behind moving objects. Some of our clients who use hallucinogens have developed PHPD.
We strongly encourage all doctors and practitioners to read the following article by Dr. Jansen. In his article he sites over 81 articles for reference. "Adverse Psychological Effects of Ecstasy use and Their Treatment" By Dr. Karl Jansen. Here is the web address for the article http://www.ecstasy.org/info/karl.html another site worth visiting is http://www.dancesafe.org.

President Clinton signed legislation making it illegal under federal law to possess the drug GHB (Detroit News, Feb. 20.).

Under the law, GHB will be added to the category of strictly regulated drugs that includes cocaine and heroin. Anyone possessing, manufacturing or distributing GHB could face up to 20 years in prison. "Making GHB a Schedule I controlled substance appropriately reflects the Congress' judgment that possession and distribution of GHB should be prohibited and that violators should be subject to stringent criminal sanctions," said Clinton.