Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jan 2004
Source: Vauxhall Advance, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004 The Vauxhall Advance
Contact:  http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/vadvance/home/index.php
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2308
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH A GROWING DRUG CONCERN ACROSS PROVINCE

The battle against drugs continues to get more difficult with the 
introduction of D-methamphetamine to the streets of Alberta.

This new, easily made and cheaply acquired drug has the police very worried 
for the future and with good cause. A cheap, addictive drug is exactly what 
the drug underworld has been searching for.

Cocaine hit the streets in the late 70s and early 80s and quickly became 
the drug of choice because of its addictive power. The cost, however, was 
restrictive. Along comes crack, a cocaine derivative that made the 
processing of cocaine cheaper and easier. In no time, crack became the drug 
of choice.

D-methamphetamine is easier and cheaper to produce than either cocaine or 
crack. The process is fairly simple, yet dangerous. The street price makes 
this drug accessible to a very large number of drug users, notably younger 
drug users, and the addictive power suggests this will be a long battle for 
police and drug support agencies.

Vauxhall has yet to see meth use become a major problem on the street, but 
without preventative measures being taken it soon could be.

Education, especially among young people, will be key in keeping meth off 
Vauxhall streets. Getting the message out that meth is both highly 
addictive and extremely dangerous will help stem the flow of the drug into 
Vauxhall. If that message is not given, people will not hesitate for a 
second to try this new, cheap thrill
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom