Pubdate: Wed, 30 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: Kevin Gill

FULL HOUSE FOR LOCAL DRUG FORUM

Parents and youth in Jasper got their chance to hear about trends in
drug use in the area and the dangers posed by substances like crystal
meth at a special forum on Nov. 21.

The meeting was hosted by the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Commission (AADAC) and came less than a week after local AADAC
representative Tasha Symon made a presentation to municipal council
urging the town to help lead the community in the battle against
rising drug use. Although there are a number of drugs the community
should be concerned about, a special focus is being put on crystal
meth, the use of which has been increasing in Jasper, according to
Symon.

More than 80 people, young and old, filled the McCready Centre to
participate in the forum. Also on hand were Const. Pierre Seguin and
Const. Garrett Dueck of the Jasper RCMP, who lent their expertise to
the discussion.

Symon described a number of different drugs and their effects
including cocaine, crack cocaine, crystal meth, ecstasy, marijuana and
alcohol.

While it's common knowledge that marijuana is used often in the
community, the arrival of other drugs like crack cocaine is not as
well known.

"Absolutely it's here," said Dueck. "There's no doubt about
it."

In 2002, 2.9 per cent of Alberta students in Grade 7 - 12 had used
cocaine and 2.8 per cent had used crack, according to statistics
provided by Symon.

But Dueck said it's hard to tell at this point how common cocaine is
in Jasper.

The same is true for crystal meth, which is also present in the
community, but not to the extent it has spread in places like Hinton
and Edson.

Symon said that 5.3 per cent of Alberta students in Grade 7 - 9 had
used ecstasy or crystal meth.

Dueck said the police are aware of the increasing problem with meth
but support from residents will be needed to make sure the use of the
drug in Jasper doesn't continue to rise.

"The police cannot do it alone -- we need help from the community," he
said.

Symon said long term effects of meth include medical problems like
damage to the brain and vascular system, mental problems such as
hallucinations and paranoia, plus sleep and eating disorders, sexual
dysfunction and increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

Users who are addicted often face financial problems because almost
all their money goes toward getting more meth and in turn they fuel
their need for the drug through crime.

Among the concerned Jasperites at the meeting was Maureen Murdoch, who
has practiced law here and in Hinton for 15 years, and through the
court system has seen firsthand the effect meth can have on a community.

"Hinton was blindsided by a drug before they knew what hit them," she
said.

She added that Jasper has a chance to get the message out and educate
people about the dangers of meth before it's too late for this community.

COS outreach worker Paul Schmidt commented that meth can also be used
in accordance with other drugs, even as an ingredient of the so-called
'party drug' ecstasy for example, which is becoming increasingly
common in Jasper.

Symon said there have also been reports of marijuana or tobacco
cigarettes being laced with meth.

Crystal meth results from 'cooking' of ephedrine and other chemicals
mixed with it, such as drain cleaners or paint thinner. Murdoch said
using meth literally puts poison into your body.

"It should be called draino death not crystal meth," she
said.

Other drugs like marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol were also talked about
as areas of concern.

Symon said the marijuana being used now is 30 times more potent than
it was in the 1970s. Marijuana cigarettes contain the same cancer
causing chemicals as tobacco cigarettes and she said marijuana has
been linked to mental health problems like depression, anxiety and
schizophrenia.

The use of marijuana is much higher among the youth population than
other drugs. Symon said that 20.5 per cent of Grade 9 students and 41
per cent of Grade 10 students in Alberta have used the drug.

AADAC plans to hold follow up meetings in local communities to
continue to spread the message about the dangers of drug abuse.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin