Wednesday, September 10, 1997
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
City trips up BMX trail plan
Residents concerned about bikers' safety
Ann Premer
Ann Premer
apremer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Mountain bike riders have trails. In-line skaters and skateboarders have designated parks. But BMX riders in Lawrence have yet to find their track and will have to keep looking.
Lawrence Riverfront Park.
Last night, the Lawrence City Commission asked a group supporting the construction of a BMX trail to look for another place besides the proposed area in the
The group wanted the trail to be developed close to the existing mountain-bike trails in the park but faced opposition from area residents.
"I wouldn't consider this a loss. It's a detour," said Paul Davis, originator of the BMX trail project. "The city wants it to happen, maybe just not out there."
Opponents of the BMX trail said a BMX track should be in Lawrence but not at the proposed location. Their main concern is the safety of the riders, who would be riding in a secluded area outside of town, they said.
Davis said he and his group supported nearly any location.
"Honestly, I think it could be better in the long run," Davis said of finding another location for the trails.
"It sounds like a good idea and we should get it done," said John Nalbandian city commissioner.
City officials seemed enthusiastic about building the trail once a better location was chosen.
Davis said he would find a new location and propose it to the commission within the next couple of weeks.
In other city commission business, the commissioners set a study session for Oct.1 to discuss the Lawrence Arts Center project.
The board of directors and the community have discussed expanding or relocating the arts center for the past ten years.
The board recommended that a new arts center be built next to Hallmark Cards Inc., 101 McDonald Drive, but left room for the commission to help decide the fate of the center, which now is located at 200 W. Ninth St.
Commissioners asked that the study session cover the pros and cons of expansion or relocation, the budget, restoration of the building that now houses the library, potential uses for the building if the art center is moved and a discussion of a different location.
Rape drugs rumored in Lawrence
By Emily C. Forsyth Kansan staff writer
Kansan staff writer
Use of so-called date-rape drugs has been rumored but not confirmed in Lawrence.
About 10 people attended a lecture at the Kansas Union last night about these drugs. The lecture was sponsored by the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center. Rachel Lee, graduate assistant at the center, talked about the two most common date rape drugs: Rhopynol and Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
These two drugs, illegal in the United States, have been tagged as date-rape drugs because the drugs can easily be slipped into a person's drink, causing a highly sedated state that lasts for hours. The drugs are relatively odorless and tasteless. Victims of these drugs often wake up not knowing where they are or how they got there.
According to Lee, both Rohypnol and GHB result in symptoms that mimic those of someone very drunk, such as impaired judgment, lack of inhibition, dizziness and confusion.
After taking Rohypnol, sedation occurs within 20 to 30 minutes. The sedated period usually lasts about eight to 10 hours.
GHB takes only five to 20 minutes to take effect, and sedation lasts two to three hours.
The effects of these drugs can last from 24 to 48 hours and are similar to feeling extremely hungover. After this period, the physical evidence is lost, making cases more difficult to prove.
"In addition to all the other difficulties you have in prosecuting and proving a rape case without the use of these drugs, if you are using a drug on somebody that creates amnesia for them, it makes it almost impossible to prove a case." Lee said.
Rohypnol, legal in other countries, is the No.1 prescribed sleeping aid in the world and also is used as a pre-surgery anesthetic. Lee said the drugs often were smuggled into the United States from Mexico and South America.
Although the drugs are more common on the coasts, they have made their way across the country. Lee
said the Drug Enforcement Agency had seized date rape drugs in Kansas.
"The really unsettling thing about the use of these drugs is the forethought that it shows on somebody's part. The planning out of taking advantage of somebody that way, to me, is extremely creepy," Lee said.
In addition to being used as date rape drugs, Rohypnol and GHB are increasingly popular at clubs and parties as a means to enhance the high that people get from alcohol and other drugs. The drugs sell for about $2 to $5 per pill on the black market.
Julie Francis, health educator at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said that Rohypnal was similar to Valium, but 10 times more powerful. Francis said there had been no known cases involving the drugs reported to Watkins. But she suspects the drugs might be in Lawrence.
"I've heard high school students say it's in Lawrence, so I feel that it could be here," she said.
Sgt. Chris Keary with the KU
Date-rape drug prevention
Watch what you are drinking carefully
If you leave a drink unattended, throw it away
Do not drink something you have not opened yourself
Refuse drinks from strangers
Use good judgement
If you do accept a drink from a stranger, watch the bartender and take it from the bartender.
Go out with friends and watch out for each other
Police Department said there had not been any reported cases of the drugs on campus.
"I would not be surprised to find it in Lawrence, but we have not had any instances of it being used or possessed by anyone," he said.
Helping foreign women feel at home
By Ryan Koerner
rkoerner@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
By Ryan Koerner
A year later, she has made friends and mastered English well enough to serve as a Chinese interpreter.
When Diane Feng moved to Lawrence from Quing-dao, China, last year, she did not know anyone and spoke only a little English.
Feng, whose husband attends the University of Kansas, accomplished this with the help of Small World, an organization that offers English classes, child care and a social environment for international women new to Lawrence.
Kathy Mulinazzi, Small World director, said most of the women who came to Small World were spouses of international KU students.
Many of the women stay home while their husbands attend classes because they are unfamiliar with the community, she said.
"This organization gives them an outlet, a means of meeting other women," Mulinazzi said.
The common experience of being in a new community helped the women immediately bond with one another, Mulinazzi said, even if they are not from the same country.
Feng said she heard about the organization when her husband got information about it through the University.
"International students are given the brochures during orientation that tells them where to call if they want additional info." Mulinazzi said. "If they want to talk to someone in their own language we provide those phone numbers, too."
Mulinazzi said Small World also tried to reach people by advertising in places such as the Community Mercantile, the Asian market, the Applied English Center, Strong Hall and church bulletins.
The goal of the organization is to help the women improve their English skills and their understanding of American culture.
"English classes are the main focus," Mulinazzi said. "But there is a conversation group for women who come from a country where
"We figure anyone who has three or more children under the age of 6 needs a break anyway."
Kathy
Mulinazzi
Small World director
they have already learned English."
Mulinazzi said that in addition to improving English skills, the women acquire information such as where to shop and to form friendships with other women in the community.
The care is available for children up to age 6 and costs $5 per child, but the maximum amount charged is $10.
In addition to the five levels of English classes offered, Small World also provides child care.
"We figure anyone who has three or more children under the age of 6
Small World
Offers English classes, child care and a social environment for international women new to Lawrence
Classes and conversation group meet on Tuesday and Thursday morning at First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway
Cost: $10 per semester or $18 for the school year.
needs a break anyway." Mulinazzi said.
The classes and the conversation group meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday mornings at First Presbyterian Church, 2415 Clinton Parkway.
Tuition for the classes is $10 for one semester or $18 for the school year.
Enrollment is kept open all semester; women may begin attending classes at any time.
Applications can be picked up at the Organizations and Activities Center in the Kansas Union.
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