Pubdate: Thu, 20 Oct 2005 Source: Windsor Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2005 The Windsor Star Contact: http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501 Note: from Star News Services Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) COMMERCIAL OFFERS GRIM GLIMPSE OF CRYSTAL METH CALGARY - A TV commercial depicting crystal meth users vomiting, fighting and breaking out in sores is hitting the airwaves in Alberta. The four-week television campaign launched by the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission this week is part of a $450,000 public awareness strategy to deter youths from trying cheap and highly addictive crystal methamphetamine in the first place. One of the two commercials mimics a prescription drug ad and depicts a smiling couple while a narrator extols the "benefits" of crystal meth. "Crystal meth can make you feel more like you -- only a more confident, sexier, more powerful you," it says. Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant which can indeed make users feel energetic, confident and alert. With prolonged use, however, addicts can become paranoid and violent and can suffer potentially life-threatening physical ailments - a point driven home in the commercial as the once-smiling woman vomits and the man's face breaks out in sores as they argue violently. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D