Pubdate: Wed, 22 Jun 2005
Source: Cobourg Daily Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Northumberland Publishers
Contact:  http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2227
Author: Richard Young
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

CRYSTAL METH: THE ICY SCOURGE OF THE SIZZLING SUMMER

Crystal methamphetamine use will significantly increase in 
Northumberland County this summer, Port Hope Police Chief Ron Hoath 
predicts. Use of the drug, which is also known as speed, crank, 
tweak, raw and Tina, to name a few of its street monikers, has not 
increased significantly at this point, he said. But by the end of 
summer it will have made its impact.

Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant drug which induces a strong 
feeling of euphoria and is highly psychologically addictive. Pure 
methamphetamine is a colorless crystalline solid sold on the street 
as glass, ice, or crystal. It is also sold in less pure crystalline 
powder as crank. Methamphetamine was first synthesized in 1919 in 
Japan. Crystal meth can be "cooked" in clandestine labs almost 
anywhere with ingredients such as pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and 
ephedrine hydrochloride commonly available in decongestant drugs 
bought at the local drug store.

The federal government says it's looking at changing the Controlled 
Drugs and Substances Act so that the penalties for trafficking 
crystal meth are increased. Currently it is classified as a less 
serious Category 3 drug with the maximum penalty for trafficking 
being 10 years imprisonment. Category 1 drugs such as heroin and 
cocaine carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for trafficking.

The government is also looking at amending the Precursor Control 
Regulations for chemicals used in manufacturing crystal meth, 
although most have legitimate uses in such products as cold medicines.

Crystal meth will become popular because of its low price and its 
ability to be cooked locally, Chief Hoath said.

"The high is higher than cocaine," he said. "This definitely will be huge.

"It is a matter of time - this summer it will hit."

Crystal meth is unusual inasmuch as most North American drug waves in 
recent years have started as bicoastal, sweeping the Pacific or 
Atlantic regions before moving inland. Crystal meth, however, began 
sweeping such corn belt states as Iowa and Nebraska like Prairie 
wildfire in the U.S. Midwest as early as the late 1990s.

Crystal meth is not a current problem for this area, FourCAST team 
leader Veronique Le Goaix said.

FourCAST is a non-profit organization that offers outpatient service 
to people who suffer from addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling.

"Certainly with any drug there is going to be a small populous that 
uses it," she said. "It is not the drug we see a big part of the 
population as using."

Most clients report alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, crack and 
prescription drugs as the most frequent used, Ms. Le Goaix said.

"We're not hearing of a lot of use of crystal meth from the 
population that comes in," she said.

"Is this going to be the new wave of drug use? Who knows," she said.

Southwestern Ontario is being hit hard right now, Chief Hoath said. 
Perth County has seen a steep increase in usage.

The chief said this situation reminds him of his early career when 
speed became popular.

"When I was a young officer speed was really big," he said. "I 
remember seeing guys hallucinating.

"I can see meth as being just as big."

The Port Hope department has attempted to put pressure on drug 
dealers as of late by conducting a number of raids, Chief Hoath said.

"We have taken quite a strong stance against it," he said.

According to the Canadian Aids Society, crystal meth is known to 
enhance sex drive, increases heart rate and intensify concentration. 
It also increases irritability, restlessness and causes insomnia, 
confusion, paranoia and hallucinations. It is highly addictive.

Overdoses can cause hostility, high body temperature, convulsions, 
suicidal tendencies, circulation and respiratory collapse, coma and 
possible death.

Aside from pseudoephedrine found in cold medicines, battery acid, 
insecticides, solvents among other toxic chemicals found at the local 
hardware store are common ingredients used in the manufacturing of 
crystal meth, which can appear as crystals, chunks, or an off-white 
to yellow powder. It can be swallowed, snorted, smoked or injected.
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