Pubdate: Fri, 16 Dec 2005
Source: Similkameen Spotlight (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Similkameen Spotlight
Contact:  http://www.similkameenspotlight.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3484
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

RCMP ADDRESS CRYSTAL METH

Over 100 people squeezed into the cafeteria at Princeton Secondary
school (PSS) on Thursday night to hear Sgt. Kurt Lozinski and Const.
Ryan McLeod talk about the growing problem of Crystal meth.

Crystal meth is a highly addictive 'turbo' stimulant that affects the
nervous system. It a synthetic drug that can be sold as tablets,
powder, or crystals and can be easily mistaken for Epson salts.

The drug can be swallowed, smoked, snorted or injected.

Crystal meth is an extremely toxic and additive substance that causes
irreversible damage to the user's brain. Ninety per cent of users are
addicted only after one experience.

According to Lozinski, regular users will go on a binge that will last
on an average of 3 days, requiring 15 grams of the drug over those 3
days.

"A point, or a hit, is one tenth of a gram," explains Lozinski. "A
point goes for $5 to $10 each."

Compared to cocaine, crystal meth is extremely cheap, but when a binge
is added up, it becomes financially demanding. According to the two
law officers, this leads to incresed crime.

Lozinski connects the recent home invasions to the type of crime that
results from drug problems.

Crystal meth, like many drugs, has a number of street names. It is
also known as ice, crystal, crank, jib, meth, sideways, speed and glass.

One of the major concerns is that its easy to manufacture and can be
made with products that can be purchased off the shelves at local markets.

This is an alarming reality that is puncuated by the number of meth
labs beingdiscovered in communities across the province.

Furthering the dire situation is the fact labs create what is known as
'toxic waste' and the clean-up efforts can be costly for local
taxpayers and dangerous to personnel who perform the task.

"Five pounds of waste is created for every one pound of meth," says
Lozinski.

Clean-up dangers are created, not only due to the risk of explosion,
but also because chemicals used in the creation of the drug. Chemicals
which include sulphuric acid, red phosphorous, ether and methanol.

A person does not have to come into physical contact with the
materials to be contaminated, explained McLeod. "The person only has
to enter the room and they have to go into quarantine," he says.

Lozinski and McLeod gave simple tips to help with the identification
of meth users and manufactures.

They described users as being extremely paranoid, have high pain
thresholds, conveying irrational thoughts and having a propensity
towards violence. They hallucinate, displays modes of hyperactivity,
nervousness or anxiety. It is not uncommon for a user to go days
without sleep.

Injection sites on their bodies include tract lines, and open
sores.

They can also develop what is known as 'meth bugs'. These are open
sores that the user will continue to dig or pick at due to a feeling
of having bugs under their skin.

Manufacturing sites can be identified by a number of visual signs.
Stained walls, floors, sinks and toilets can be indications of a meth
lab. Abundance of cleaning products such as trash solvents and drain
cleaner are other things that may suggest a lab is in business.

Strange odours and unusually traffic patterns from occupants and
visitors are other factors common to a location being used as a
manufacturing and distribution centre for drugs.

One or two of these identifiers do not necessarily mean that your
neighbour, friend or child is using or manufacturing meth, but if you
have suspicions, you are urged to contact the RCMP.

Meth is a growing problem in Princeton. The RCMP has seen a
substantial increase over the last five years. In 2000 and 2001 there
were zero occurrences or charges in Princeton. In 2003, there were 4
occurrences and 2 charges, and in 2005, 35 occurrences and 20 charges.

The Princeton RCMP is working hard to combat the drug flow in
Princeton, and asks that if you have any suspicions of drug
trafficking or manufacturing to contact the local detachment.

Lozinski stresses that if tips "are anonymous, they stay anonymous."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin