Pubdate: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 Source: World-Spectator, The (CN SN) Page 15 Copyright: 2005 The World-Spectator. Contact: http://www.world-spectator.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2914 Author: Amanda Stephenson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) COMMUNITY WARNED ABOUT DANGERS OF CRYSTAL METH "I don't think it's proper to say if your son or daughter tried this once at 14 or 15, they're hooked for life," Sergeant Dave Henry, drug awareness coordinator with the RCMP, told the group of concerned community members who attended a crystal meth information session on Wednesday, March 23 in Moosomin. "But it is highly addictive. If you do start to try this drug recreationally, it does lead to cravings and can in turn lead to addiction." The public information session was organized by the Board of Education of the Moosomin School Division, which wanted to increase awareness about a drug that is a growing problem in Saskatchewan. Crystal meth produces a high that is similar to that produced by cocaine, but the high lasts longer and the drug is much cheaper. Henry told Wednesday's crowd that on the streets of Regina and Saskatoon, one-tenth of a gram of crystal meth (the amount typically used to get one high) is selling for $15 to $25--making it easily accessible for young people. In January, the school board sponsored a presentation by a parent who had lost his son to a drug overdose for Moosomin School Division students. That presentation was designed to be emotional, in order to convince students to think twice before experimenting with drugs. Henry's presentation, on the other hand, was designed to give parents and community members hard facts about the nature of the drug and its effects. Crystal meth is a stimulant, Henry told the crowd. It speeds up the functions of the body and mind and gives users a euphoric rush. However, it also increases blood pressure, heart and breathing rates, and body temperature-- which can cause strokes, seizures, and brain damage. Users on a binge often don't sleep or eat for days or even weeks, leading to extreme weight loss, fatigue, irritability, and depression. However, it is when users are coming off their binge that they represent the most danger to police officers, EMTs, and hospital staff, Henry said. Called "tweaking," this stage is when users become prone to hallucinations and paranoid, violent behaviors. "At this stage, they represent a danger to you because they're not in their right mind," Henry said. The paranoid aggression many "tweakers" experience sometimes leads them to stockpile weapons. "The prevalence of firearms is very common," Henry said. "It's worrying to those of us in law enforcement." Part of the reason crystal meth is becoming more prevalent is it is relatively easy to make using a variety of common chemicals and household products. "Meth labs" can be set up in apartments, motels, or even vehicles. However, the process of combining these chemicals is so dangerous that the "cooks" are occasionally found dead-- the victims of fire, explosions, or toxic gas poisoning. Henry gave the crowd a list of signs to look for to determine if someone might be a crystal meth addict, including teeth grinding, body odor, rotting teeth, and scars and open sores caused by addicts scratching at imaginary "bugs" on their skin. He emphasized that crystal meth is not the most addictive drug out there--however, if you do become addicted, the chances of getting clean are very slim. "Only six per cent of addicts get and stay sober--the lowest rate for any drug," Henry said. Henry told the concerned parents of teenagers at the meeting that so far, crystal meth use is more prevalent among 20-somethings than it is among teenagers. He also said that Saskatchewan does not yet have the problem with the drug that the United States is experiencing. However, crystal meth use is spreading, partly because of society's attitudes. "We live in a society where drug use is pretty normalized," Henry said. "It's not as big a taboo as it was 20 or 30 years ago." However, Henry wanted the crowd at Wednesday's meeting to know that crystal meth--no matter how cheap or readily available it becomes--is nothing to play around with. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager