[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 79 (Thursday, June 6, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATING ALIANA SONKSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 2013

  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Aliana Nicole 
Sonksen, a rising senior at Camdenton High School in Camdenton, 
Missouri, who won third place in the National Institute of Health's 
Addiction Science Competition. This prestigious award was given at the 
2013 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
   The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair is the world's 
largest international science competition for high school students, and 
this year it provided a forum for approximately 1,500 students from 70 
countries, regions, and territories to showcase their independent 
research. Since 2008, the National Institute on Drug Abuse has selected 
three projects to receive awards for exemplary work in addiction 
science, and I am extremely proud that a winning project came from the 
hard work and dedication of one of my constituents.
   Ms. Sonksen's project, ``Determining the Behavioral and 
Physiological Effects of Pentedrone-Based Bath Salts on Drosophila 
Melangaster,'' studied the effects of two versions of the drugs called 
``bath salts'' on the common fruit fly. She looked at three possible 
effects: mortality, feeding patterns, and activity levels. Many of the 
flies died from exposure to bath salts, and many others decreased their 
feeding activity. Her research showed that the substances, while 
commonly considered stimulants, acted more like hallucinogens, with the 
flies appearing to be in a daze.
   I am proud that Ms. Sonksen not only took the time and energy to 
submit an award winning project but also focused her efforts on such an 
important issue. Bath salts are emerging synthetic stimulants that 
often contain amphetamine-like chemicals. Addiction and abuse of these 
drugs has dramatically increased over the past few years and has 
resulted in a number of hospitalizations and even deaths. I appreciate 
the awareness Ms. Sonksen has raised to the issues surrounding bath 
salts through her research and submission of her project.
   In closing, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Aliana 
Sonksen's Addiction Science Award and her hopeful future of 
contributing to addiction science for many years to come.

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