CORBIN — By Jeff Noble / Staff writer

At a point in Monday night’s drug forum at Corbin High School, Operation UNITE President/CEO Karen Kelly asked everyone in the auditorium to stand up. Then Kelly said the following words.

“If you do not know somebody who’s been affected by drugs, please sit down.” Only two people did.

The demonstration showed how drugs have taken a toll on Corbin and the Tri-County region. And it was the focus of the forum called “Addicted: A Dose of Reality.” Held at the school’s Betty Hamilton Center for Performing Arts, the 90-minute presentation showed the stark reality of how easy and available drugs — both legal and illegal — are to students and adults.

More important to the sponsors of the event, the event talked about the rapidly rising problem of synthetic marijuana and bath salts, which were referred to as “synthetic cocaine.”

“The drug dilemma that’s taking place in our region is probably the strongest drug invasion in America. It’s scary,” said Corbin Independent School Superintendent Ed McNeel, who sponsored the forum along with Operation UNITE, the Bell-Knox-Whitley Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy (BKW KY ASAP), and the Corbin Community Coalition.

McNeel then introduced Kim Crowley, the Corbin School Board Chair, who painted what she called a surprising picture of the drug scene that’s cropped up in recent months. “As a parent, I did not realize how prevalent these drugs are out there. I don’t want to scare you, but I do. I want you to take it to heart and spread it. The UNITE people have excellent information for you tonight... What you’ll hear affects Whitley, Knox, Laurel and neighboring counties.”

Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney also spoke, ending with a note on the pending ordinance to ban and prohibit the sale of synthetic marijuana in the city. “It’s fairly new to me, this drug problem. Our commissioners are aware of this and we will have our first reading Monday, February 13, on the ordinance.”

Kelly and UNITE’s Treatment Director, Elissa Price, came armed with information, exhibits and pictures to get those at the forum involved. Following a video presentation telling parents, “Times have changed. We’re not in Mayberry anymore,” Kelly pointed out the average age of first time abusers in Southeastern, Southern and Eastern Kentucky is 11 years old.

“The availability of drugs is easy in high school and even middle schools. However, some of the most dangerous drugs are not those illegal, but prescription drugs, from a family’s medicine cabinet. “

It was Price who discussed the kind of drugs available in the region today and led off with a short statement that the price paid by families involved is high.

“I watch every single day moms and dads walk away from their kids.”

From there she showed classifications of drugs, such as sedatives, opiates like OxyContin and Methadone, stimulants like cocaine and meth, the regular form of marijuana, and synthetic marijuana, which Price said, “They’re sold as incense, bath salts and plant food... Scooby Snax and K2... This is why we’re here.”

For the next few minutes, the crowd of about 80 inside the auditorium heard the basics of synthetic marijuana — what it is, what it’s made up of, the slang terms used to describe it and how much it costs.

Price stated, “How big is the problem? One mother told me, ‘I bought this for my child, and while it’s not pot, it’s legal. They’re going to do it anyway.’ Duh? Synthetic marijuana can be up to 700 times stronger than (regular) marijuana... It’s like playing Russian Roulette. You never know what you’re getting.”

And that also pertains to synthetic cocaine, said Price. “They’re known as ‘Ivory Wave’ or ‘Cloud 9.’ They’re not epsom salts, or stuff you buy from Bath and Body Works. The illegal ones sell for $30 and they’re made in China and South Africa. They’re not actual bath salts, they’re synthetic cocaine.”

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says synthetic cocaine is being sold in convenience stores, gas stations, smoke shops and on the Internet.

Both Price and Kelly discussed treatment, the “Drug Court” program, and most of all, what parents can do for their children.

“There are five steps on talking to your kids about drugs. Be kind. Be specific. Be consistent. Be reasonable. And recognize good behavior... The parent that does know and wants to do something about drugs are the ones we want. If you suspect their problem (with drugs), find out about it early on. It’s better than seeing them in jail. Or, in my friend’s child’s case, dead,” said Kelly, who has a daughter at Corbin High School and who was present at the forum.

Before the program ended, Circuit Court Judge Cathy Prewitt was recognized and spoke about the drug situation, adding, “I’ve never been so scared. Synthetic marijuana is taking over, but you folks are taking the first step by coming out here tonight.”

Also announced by Kelly was that $10,000 would be available to Corbin from UNITE for volunteers, civic groups, churches and other organizations to fight the drug problem.

And she closed with a comment that went beyond money or endorsements by celebrities.

“Only Corbin can say, ‘I’ve had enough,’” Kelly said.