Pubdate: Fri, 07 Oct 2005 Source: Fort Saskatchewan Record, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 The Fort Saskatchewan Record Contact: http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/824 Author: Candace Brown Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) NEW ALBERTA INITIATIVE TO COMBAT METH PRODUCTION Joint force between Council on Drug Abuse and Shoppers Drug Mart Meth, crank, crystal, ice, speed, poor man's coke, chalk, and tweak are all just some of the names for a drug that is causing a lot of problems and addictions. Crystal meth is a drug that is manufactured with common house hold products, some that are sold in the hardware store and others that are sold at a pharmacy. On Tuesday, the Council on Drug Abuse (CODA) announced a national Crystal Meth education program. The program is set to launch in Alberta next month. Between Life & Death: The Crystal Meth Explosion is targeted for all high school students, users or non-users. Senior CODA consultant Dr. Ron Clavier believes it is important to get the youth to overcome the attraction of this drug that is so powerful and destructive. Shoppers Drug Mart is one of the founding members of CODA and will help fund the program. CODA was established in 1969. "Education is definitely a key component to tackling the major issues communities across the country are facing with the production and use of methamphetamine among young Canadians," says Virginia Cirocco, senior vice president, pharmacy, Shoppers Drug Mart. The new program is designed to education students about meth, why it has the effects it does, as well as offers assistance for users. Meth is a highly addictive stimulate that greatly effects the central nervous system. Some of the ingredients in meth include: paint thinner, rubbing alcohol, iodine and ephedrine. The program will also address issues including peer pressure, addiction, and the long and short-term effects of meth. Each program session will also have an open question and answer program. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek