Pubdate: Wed, 01 Feb 2006
Source: Wallaceburg Courier Press (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Wallaceburg Courier Press
Contact:  http://www.wallaceburgcourierpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2147
Author: Fred Groves
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

CRYSTAL METH CAN BE A PROBLEM

They are called Tweakers and they should be approached with caution.

Tweakers are users of crystal meth -- a higly addictive drug that is 
surprisingly easy to make and sometimes deadly.

Last week, Walpole Island resident Karen Lallean made a presentation 
at the the island's community centre on crystal meth, a drug that she 
says even a single dose of can be enough to cause long-term 
neurodevelopment problems.

"I don't know how much there is here. It's all ages, it's not just 
young kids," said Lallean.

She recently made a presentation to the Walpole Island Service 
Providers and a second one was aimed at the community. She said 
crystal meth is easy to move around and a lot of the ingredients can 
be found in drug stores.

"It's easy to make. They can make it in car trunks and in corn 
fields. It's mixing it together that causes it to cook."

Lallean learned about the harmful, addictive drug at the Sasketchewan 
Indian Institute of Technologies. Her presentation includes a 
videotape which she recommends not be viewed by those under 16.

"Anything I can do to help make our community better, I will."

Lallean gave a lot of helpful tips on how to approach someone who has 
been using crystal meth. These include stay at a distance, do not 
shine a flashlight directly at them, slow your movements, keep the 
individual talking and very important, get help.

A form of help is available from the Walpole Island Police and Chief 
John Trudeau said he doesn't suspect a wide useage of Crystal Meth on 
the island.

"Not as far as I know but that doesn't mean we can't prepare 
ourselves," said Trudeau.

He agrees with Lallean that it is easy to make and said information 
is available on the Internet.

Asked if there are a lot of drugs on Walpole Island he responded, 
"It's like any other community, it is a problem."

"I don't know what it's like off the island, but I know it's here," 
said Lallean.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom