Pubdate: Fri, 03 Jun 2005
Source: Hanover Post, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thepost.on.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2612
Author: Lori Gillespie
Series: Part One
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

THERE IS A MONSTER AMONG US

HANOVER -- There is a monster in our midst. Its effects on those who fall 
in its path are devastating, and potentially fatal. The monster is known by 
many names, most commonly "crystal meth," and its abuse and destruction is 
reaching epidemic proportions in your community.

According to local parents, educators and police, teenage use of crystal 
meth has increased rapidly in the past two years. In the past year, the 
drug has become a top concern of local police forces.

Not My Kid: Crystal Meth in Your Community is a multi-part series, 
exclusive to The Post. We have spoken to local parents under the promise of 
anonymity, breaking a strict editorial rule at The Post in order to protect 
the identity of the families who are being affected by this epidemic. There 
is a very real fear of reprisal from the drug community, especially for 
those who are trying to recover from use of the drug.

This week, Part One of the series examines what, exactly, is amphetamine, 
and how to recognize it. Next week, we'll take a look at the signs that may 
indicate that your child or loved one is under the influence of crystal meth.

Later this month, a town meeting is planned for police, public health and 
victim services to discuss this very real problem with parents, educators 
and concerned citizens in general. A date for the meeting will be announced 
in next week's Post.

WHAT IS METH?

If you use meth once, you'll probably be hooked. Crystal meth is 
methamphetamine hydrochloride. It is also known as "ice," "glass," "jibb," 
"tina," "crank," or "speed. "

It's not new. According to research at www.cbc.ca, amphetamine was 
originally marketed as Benzedrine in North America in the 1920s and in the 
U.K. in the 1930s as an appetite suppressant or to prevent narcolepsy. The 
drug was available over the counter and became a popular street drug. It 
has been used to help pilots or drivers stay awake for long periods of 
time, and also as a performance-enhancing drug by athletes.

It is still prescribed sometimes, in restricted amounts, for narcolepsy and 
to control weight. And, in low doses, it has been used in the treatment of 
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Amphetamine stimulates the central nervous system. It increases the amount 
of dopamine (a hormone in the brain). In low doses, used for ADD, it 
stimulates the brain but slows down the patient, which increases attention 
span but decreases impulsivity. In higher doses it can cause decreased 
hunger and bring on weight loss.

Some negative effects include hyperactivity, nausea, aggressiveness, 
irritability and sleeplessness. Taken long-term, in high doses, it can 
cause irreversible damage to one's body. It can cause damage to lung, 
kidney, heart and liver, as well as causing brain damage, depression, 
permanent psychological problems, violent and aggressive behaviour, extreme 
weight loss, behaviour that resembles paranoid schizophrenia, malnutrition, 
stroke and death.

Hanover Police Chief Tracy David says, from evidence gathered by the police 
department, most users smoke the drug by using a pop bottle.

"In my career, the situation is worse than ever," David says. "We've had no 
deaths so far (in Hanover) but if something is not done, my fear is that we 
will have deaths (resulting from meth use). Trying it once will hurt you."

Meth can be swallowed, injected or inhaled. It comes in pill form, in 
chunks or as a powder. And the effects of use can last anywhere from eight 
to 24 hours.

Taken orally or by snorting, meth can produce a long lasting high for as 
long as 12 hours, according to "First Response Guide to Street Drugs" by 
Detective S.C. Walton.

While use of meth in this area isn't new, David says there has been a large 
increase in violence over the past two years, even more in the past year. 
She says there have been a lot more incidents of assault and domestic 
violence, much of which can be attributed to meth abuse.

"It's affecting every walk of life," she adds. "But it's not just here -- 
this is a problem that is North America-wide."

Meth is definitely here, in our community. It was a problem, David says, 
when it was merely being sold and consumed here. Now there is growing 
evidence that the drug is being produced in the local area.

Hanover Police Sergeant Ron Shaidle says that, although drug abuse is not 
new to the area, when it affects the community at large, as it is now, 
there is a concern.

"The biggest issue is public education," he says. "Some young people are 
not making healthy lifestyle choices. We could take every drug dealer off 
the street, but those who are hooked on the drug would still find a way to 
get it. What we need is public education to help young people make proper 
decisions."

David says no drug laboratories have been discovered in Hanover so far, due 
to its extreme odour and toxicity. "Neighbours would be complaining about 
the smell," she says.

Crystal meth is reportedly easy to produce. It contains a mixture of 
approximately 15 substances, including pseudoephedrine (an ingredient used 
in cold medication), red phosphorous, iodine, ammonia, paint thinner, 
ether, Drano and the lithium from batteries.

According to police, an investment of about $150 can produce up to $10,000 
worth of the drug.

However, the production of the drug is extremely dangerous and can cause 
fires or explosions. But it can be manufactured in a small space, such as a 
kitchen or bathroom.

The drug is cheap, too. A "point," or one-tenth of a gram, can be bought 
for about $10. A gram costs about $150.

However, it is not uncommon for dealers to offer the first "hit" for free, 
as the highly addictive substance promises to keep users coming back for more.

Says Shaidle, "A person might make a choice to try it just once, but it is 
so highly addictive that this bad choice is one that they seemingly can't 
back out of."

"Everyone believes that the drug problem is minor, affecting only a handful 
of kids," says one area parent. "They think, 'It's not my kid.' If you 
believe that, your child is a prime candidate. They just have to try it 
once to get hooked, and often, the first time is free."
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