Pubdate: Tue, 27 Dec 2005
Source: Banff Crag & Canyon, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005, The Banff Crag & Canyon
Contact:  http://www.banffcragandcanyon.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1033
Author: Sabrina Fabia
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

DRUG STORES MOVE POTENTIAL METH MIX BEHIND THE COUNTER

Blossoming Use Of Speed Drug Not A Big Concern In Banff

Banff Crag & Canyon -- Albertans will have to look behind the 
pharmacists' counters from now on when purchasing decongestants such 
as Sudafed.

The Alberta government took this action because the drugs, also known 
as pseudoephedrines, are one of the main ingredients used in crystal 
meth, an illegal street drug. Although there are many drugs 
circulating around Banff, authorities say that crystal meth is not 
one of the most prominently used drugs locally.

Albertans will now have to ask the pharmacists to hand them the drugs 
rather than pick them off the shelves themselves.

Decongestants will be joining other drugs that contain codeine 
products and Gravol, explained Peter Eshenko, a pharmacist at 
Gourlay's Pharmacy in Banff.

"People have to buy mass quantities," to make crystal meth, Eshenko 
said. "If someone asked for 12 boxes, I would be suspicious."

Should that occur, Eshenko said, "I would deny sale."

Sgt. Wayne Wiebe of the Banff RCMP said he saw many cases involving 
the drug in Saskatoon where he worked previously, but couldn't say 
there were any specific cases of the drug being found in Banff.

"I've suspected that some of the people I've dealt with have been on 
meth," said Wiebe, because of their "reaction to pain, or their attitude."

"It's not prevalent in Banff," Wiebe said.

Spencer Schneider is the area supervisor at the Alberta Alcohol and 
Drug Abuse Commission in Canmore. He agrees that "wherever you can 
take away the proximity it makes it more difficult" for people to get 
their hands on the drug.

"Fewer people will use it," he admitted, although he said he has not 
seen many cases of crystal meth addiction either.

"In the Bow Valley I haven't been seeing many cases," said Schneider, 
who mainly deals with alcohol, cocaine and marijuana addictions.

"(Crystal meth) is very sporadic; it's relatively rare (in the Bow 
Valley)," Schneider explained, although he admitted that there is a 
possibility that many cases are not referred to AADAC.

"Some people might go back to their hometown for treatment," 
Schneider said, "but in the resident population, there are no spikes 
that I see."

Lisa Davey, training and development co-ordinator at the Banff 
Service Industry Network, said she has witnessed many cases of drug 
abuse in Banff, but none involving crystal meth.

"The drug hasn't entered into the community in any big way," said 
Davey, who explained that crystal meth is much more common in large cities.

"I guess that there isn't a market here for it," she said. "I think 
it has a bad rap."

Davey explained that many of the people who come to Banff don't come 
from big cities and therefore have not been exposed to it before coming here.

"I haven't seen anyone come forward with a serious addiction (to 
crystal meth)," said Davey. "I've mainly only seen alcohol and cocaine abuse."

Crystal meth is an addictive drug made up of small white crystals. It 
can be either inhaled, smoked or injected. Aside from 
pseudoephedrines, other ingredients include household products such 
as iodine, ammonia, paint thinner and lithium from batteries, among others.

People who use the drug feel an initial intense effect, and a high 
that can last up to 12 hours. The drug affects the brain and can be 
extremely harmful in the long run.

Effects include rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and brain 
damage. Use of the drug can cause hypothermia, convulsions and death.

Individuals on the drug can also experience violent behaviour, 
paranoia, anxiety, confusion and insomnia.According to Wiebe, users 
of crystal meth are "not hard to recognize," because the drug affects 
their physical appearance as well.

"Over a short period of time, a person who uses crystal meth ages 
quickly," Wiebe said. "There are visible effects to the skin."

Wiebe said that crystal meth is extremely addictive, leading to other 
potential crimes.

"(Users) will do anything to get the drug."

Although it is not common in Banff, Wiebe suspects that more cases 
could arise in the future.

"It's just a matter of time before it gets here," said Wiebe.

The government of Alberta, however, hopes that putting one of its 
main ingredients behind counters at drugs stores will help avoid that.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom