Pubdate: Fri, 06 Aug 2004 Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Peace Arch News Contact: http://www.peacearchnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333 Author: Julia Caranci Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) METH HIGH HIGHEST IN FRASER HA Victoria Vows To Tackle Drug Claiming More Youth Than Ever More people in Fraser Health Authority have sought help for amphetamine abuse in the last five years than anywhere else in B.C., according to a provincial report. Methamphetamine-known on the street as crystal meth, crank, glass or zip-is the strongest amphetamine and the one causing serious concerns in the Lower Mainland. One health official estimates up to 20 per cent of drug abusers are hooked on meth, with an increasing number of young women in its clutches. This week, Victoria announced a strategy to deal with the potentially deadly drug. In just two years, crystal meth has overtaken cocaine as the third most popular drug (after alcohol and marijuana) in the FHA. The report revealed use and related deaths from this toxic drug are increasing, and the number of people who seek help for addictions to amphetamines in B.C. has climbed-from four per cent of those seeking help for addiction five years ago to 11 per cent today. Victoria's figures suggest 934 people in FHA sought help for amphetamine use in 2001; 825 in 2002 and 766 in 2003. Every year since 1999, FHA has had higher numbers of people seeking help from community addictions workers for amphetamine abuse than any other health authority in B.C. Addictions leader Sherry Mumford noted FHA is the largest health region in B.C. (serving 1.44 million people) and has the highest percentage of youth. "You would expect numbers to be comparatively higher here." FHA's overall numbers for amphetamine abuse are probably comparable to Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, she said. Mumford estimates up to 20 per cent of FHA's addictions clients are using meth, more than provincial numbers suggest. She said street youth, the gay and lesbian population, rave participants and women of child-bearing age have been identified as high-risk groups. "Women, especially young women, are a high-risk population, specifically because of crystal meth's ability to curb the appetite for weight loss. Women are starting to come to the forefront of what you would call meth users." Methamphetamine releases a rush of chemicals into areas of the brain that control feelings of pleasure. It increases wakefulness and physical activity and decreases appetite. It can be snorted, swallowed, injected or smoked. It's cheap and easy to make using over-the-counter ingredients. While no one municipality stands out as a hotbed of crystal meth use, Mumford said certain areas do have more problems with the drug, including Fraser East (Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Hope, Mission), Whalley, parts of Langley and pockets in the Tri-Cities area. This week, the provincial government unveiled a strategy to combat crystal meth, promising to inform the public, make communities safer, identify high-risk populations, reduce harm and increase skills of service providers. B.C. Minister of State for Addiction Services Susan Brice said discussions have begun with retailers and pharmacies to limit access to medications used to produce crystal meth. Pharmacists in Alberta recently placed cold medications containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine behind the counter to better monitor the sale of these products. Victoria plans to implement an education program for women of child-bearing age. There is concern pregnant women who use crystal meth may unknowingly harm their unborn children, Brice said. Elementary and secondary schools will also step up education programs directed at preventing drug use. Getting help Narcotics Anonymous 604-873-1018 Launching Pad Recovery Society 604-536-3022 Mental Health Crisis Line 604-951-8855 The Front Room 604-589-7777 Surrey Community Services 604-584-5811 - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager