Pubdate: Fri, 20 Jan 2006
Source: Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006Lower Mainland Publishing Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thenownews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1340
Author: Jennifer Saltman, Staff Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

COQUITLAM WILL GET METH WATCH PROGRAM

The Meth Watch Program Is Coming To Coquitlam.

The program, modelled on one developed in the state of Kansas, was 
rolled out in Maple Ridge in early March and spearheaded by the 
Meadowridge Rotary Club. In Port Coquitlam, a Meth Watch program 
began in June 2005.

Meth Watch is designed to help curtail the theft and suspicious sales 
of pseudoephedrine products, such as over-the-counter cold 
medications and other common household products used to manufacture 
meth in small, underground labs.

The first step, which police say is already underway, involves 
contacting businesses that may sell products used in the production 
of crystal meth and setting up appointments with managers or owners 
of the businesses who wish to be part of the program.

A Ridgeway Community Police Station volunteer will act as the Meth 
Watch co-ordinator for Coquitlam, assisted by six other volunteers.

Participating retailers will strategically post Meth Watch signs on 
their store fronts. Using a specially developed web-learning portal, 
they will train their employees to recognize suspicious transactions, 
without confronting or identifying the customer, and to contact law 
enforcement when these take place.

They are instructed to never confront individuals who are suspected 
of being on meth.

Step three will involve follow-up, continued education and signing up 
new businesses to the program.

The Meth Watch Program has been well received within the business 
community, according to a Coquitlam RCMP news release.

"Many retailers recognize the need for a program like this, since the 
meth problem has become a serious issue in such a short period of 
time. There is a sense of relief within the community as the issue is 
now getting the attention it requires and retailers are provided with 
the tools and knowledge to help combat the problem."

Meth is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that affects the 
central nervous system, and is a synthetic drug produced or sold as 
pills, capsules or powder that can be smoked, snorted, injected or swallowed.

It damages the nervous system and its use can cause dependence and 
addiction, psychosis, stroke, dangerously high body temperature and 
irregular heartbeat.

For more information, visit www.methwatch.ca.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom