Pubdate: Mon, 12 Dec 2005
Source: Edson Leader (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Edson Leader
Contact:  http://www.edsonleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/780
Author: Randall Royce
Series: Other articles in this series may be found
at  http://www.mapinc.org/source/edson+leader
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

USER TURNS INTO DEALER

Editor's note: The Edson Leader in conjunction with the Edson and
District Drug Action Coalition is publishing a six-part series on a
local meth addict. This is the fourth article in the series. These
articles are based on the actual interview of an Edson resident
involved in the use and dealing of methamphetamines. The purpose of
the articles is to educate and create a public awareness of the extent
of methamphetamine use in our community.

"Weight loss, no sleep, hallucinations, paranoia -- is meth still like
that now?"

He made a derisive sound. "Nah -- the stuff we do today is pure
garbage. Can't even compare to the quality it was back then."

He looked almost sad. I shook my head.

"So," I said, "Back to your story -- in the mid-80s you were a casual
user,"

"No -- I was an addict," he corrected.

My brow jumped.

"B-but you worked and didn't use everyday,"

"I had a full blown addiction," he said. "I just looked like I had it
together."

Another sly grin. "Like a lot of people do now."

It was more than just a little disconcerting to be told that people
around me -- people I thought I knew -- could be leading double lives.
I cleared my throat, uneasy.

"So if you're coasting along just using why'd you start
dealing?"

He snorted. "Ever see a profit of $35,000 in a week?"

"I'm neither rock star nor hockey player," I shot back.

He laughed.

"Yeah, well -- you're not a drug dealer, either."

I blinked. "But you had a good job. The oilfield doesn't pay $35,000 a
week, but,"

"My 'good job' didn't last."

I shut right up.

"You can't do both for forever," he said quietly.

"So why choose drugs over your job?"

He looked at me like I was daft.

"Don't you get it? Meth takes over. Nothing's more important than
getting high."

He allowed this to sink in and then said, "Now -- let me tell you
about dealing."

I readied my pen.

"You start it out looking for a deal. Buy a bunch -- way too much to
use alone -- then sell to your friends for profit and ... bingo! It
works out that your own dope is free."

A commission system. Free dope the way a make-up distributor would get
a free lipstick. I gave him the comparison.

"Yeah -- that's how it works. You sell for the dealer, give him his
cut -- you get a good deal. And when you start bartering like that
more and more? You make money. You get stuff. And -- ," there was that
cunning smile. "-- there's the prestige. You're above a user. You're
in a crowd few others are in."

"Ahhh -- earning a rep in a hierarchy. Not unlike that Grade 6 student
who earned stripes with kids way too old for him."

"Sure," he shrugged. "Popularity's a big part of it. If you've got the
dope you've got the friends. You've got the chicks."

.to be continued
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin