Pubdate: Wed, 01 Jun 2005
Source: Powell River Peak (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Peak Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.prpeak.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/734
Author: Laura Walz
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

CRYSTAL METH USE ON RISE

Highly Addictive Drug Is Becoming More Common In Powell River

Powell River has a growing problem around the use of cocaine and, in the 
last two to three months, cocaine laced with crystal meth, according to a 
police officer on the front line of the issue.

RCMP Corporal Dennis Blanch told municipal council last week that while he 
doesn't want to sound alarm bells, he believes the problem is serious and 
increasing.

Blanch said long-term drug abusers in the community act out in violent ways 
after they start using crystal meth, a highly addictive drug also known as 
methamphetamine. It can cause psychotic behaviour and brain damage similar 
to Alzheimer's disease, stroke and epilepsy.

More than 80 per cent of what police are involved in on a day-to-day basis 
in Powell River usually stems from some type of illicit drug use or alcohol 
abuse, to some degree, Blanch said.

"That ranges from property crimes to crimes of violence," he said. "There's 
a whole gamut that falls in that area."

The rise in crystal meth use in Powell River is consistent with other 
communities in Canada. In recent years it has become a major issue for 
police, courts and the health care system.

Blanch has spoken to drug users who tell him they would rather go back to 
using heroin than to be addicted to crystal meth and crack cocaine. "It's a 
type of addiction that is a daily habit. It is costly. You see their health 
decay and you see the burden they put on the communities that they are in, 
as well as the health care system."

Dr. Paul Martiquet, medical health officer for the Sunshine Coast, Powell 
River and Sea-to-Sky corridor, told The Peak crystal meth was a drug that 
was being used more frequently than the public was aware of, especially in 
youth. "The problem with it is that it has a very long half-life, meaning 
it keeps you high for a very long period of time," he said. "That's 
probably why it's the drug of choice among youth, because it's cheap and 
long-acting."

Crystal meth can cause psychosis, or transient psychosis, in youth, 
Martiquet added. "That has been seen in the [Powell River General Hospital] 
emergency department," he said.

The problem of crystal meth use is a community concern, not just a police 
concern, Blanch added. He commended council for two bylaws it adopted, one 
concerning secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers and another allowing the 
municipality to recoup from property owners expenses incurred in 
investigating and closing down marijuana grow operations.

Blanch also applauded School District 47's drug and alcohol policy, which 
it is in the process of being adopting.

He noted that one area where Powell River falls short is treatment. "We 
don't have treatment facilities for those people who are going to reach out 
for help," he said. "Based on my experience, when those people ask for 
help, it has to be now. It's not a case of waiting."

He said communities have to get back to being in touch with their 
neighbours and family values. Youth should be the focus, he said, 
suggesting activities that adults and youth in the community can share 
should be developed and promoted.
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MAP posted-by: Beth