Pubdate: Wed, 16 Nov 2005
Source: Jasper Booster (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Jasper Booster
Contact:  http://www.jasperbooster.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/788
Author: Alisen Charlten
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

DRUG USE ON RISE

Drug use is on the rise in Jasper and, though many don't want to
believe it, those who deal with the issue on a day to day basis think
it's time for the community to face the music.

The RCMP, Community Outreach Services (COS) workers and those involved
in the local judiciary system all agree they're seeing more drug use
problems in town most specifically concerning crystal meth.

COS outreach worker Paul Schmidt said he is definitely hearing of and
seeing a larger presence of harder core drugs in the community
including meth.

"I don't think everyone really realizes meth is in town here," he
said. "It's not like we're immune to it. It's still catching on."

Last year, Schmidt didn't have anyone come to him looking for
treatment programs for meth addiction but more recently he's had a
couple cases.

He adds that people are really out there to promote the highly
addictive drug because the profit margins are so large.

"In my opinion, there's definitely people in town that think they've
been doing coke and they're actually doing meth."

Drugs of all types are also circulating through the staff at many of
the hotels, according to Schmidt.

This is increasingly becoming a concern because local youth are
working at a younger age and being exposed to drugs sooner than usual
by their older co-workers.

Const. Ed Burstrom is also noticing an increase in drug use and
trafficking of illegal substances in Jasper.

He said the drugs are not disappearing in the off season with the
exodus of seasonal workers as some would like to believe.

"I think the problem is only going to get a whole lot worse unless the
community comes together."

He said locals need to start trusting the RCMP more and working
together to stop this problem from growing.

He also worries about the push to legalize marijuana because of the
increased potency of the drug and the criminal element involved in its
production and distribution.

RCMP are even finding that with the high THC levels in some marijuana
this 'soft' drug has come to equal cocaine in value.

The possibility of joints being laced with crystal meth without the
user's knowledge has also been a concern.

Lawyer and Jasper resident Maureen Murdoch also sees crystal meth use
increasing in town.

After 15 years of practicing criminal and family law in the Yellowhead
area including Hinton and Jasper, Murdoch has seen how crystal meth
can take hold of a community. She has witnessed first hand how life in
a small town can change dramatically when such a drug takes hold.

"A couple years ago it was rare, rare, rare that you'd see a meth
charge in Jasper," said Murdoch.

These days she's seen an increase in locally related meth charges
coming through the court system.

But with the drug only beginning to make it's definite presence known,
Murdoch thinks an emphasis on education could be just what Jasper
needs to stop this highly addictive drug in its tracks.

"In Jasper we have the experiences of these other communities to draw
upon so we're in a prime position to hopefully circumvent a lot of
what's happened in other communities," said Murdoch.

She said the cool sounding name and the ability to smoke the drug
rather than inject it gives people a false sense of security regarding
its dangers.

"It's got a cool sounding name because it's probably one of the most
uncool drugs that a person could possibly do," said Murdoch.

An upcoming Parent and Youth Forum on Drug Use could be a great first
step in the education process.

As part of National Addictions Awareness Week the forum will be held
at the McCready Centre on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.

The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) and the RCMP
will be making presentations during the evening.

Parents and youth will also be invited to identify issues and concerns
surrounding alcohol and drug use in their community.

Admission to the forum is an item for the Jasper Food Bank.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin