Pubdate: Wed, 01 Nov 2006 Source: Lake Country Calendar (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Lake Country News Contact: http://www.lakecountrynews.net Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2229 Author: Graeme Corbett LOW INCIDENCE OF CRYSTAL METH IN LAKE COUNTRY Heroin, cocaine, crack... these are all commonly known, highly addictive drugs that can quickly turn a person's life into a downward spiral through repeated use. Now, methamphetamine ("crystal meth" or "meth" for short), is causing renewed concern as it gains momentum in certain communities across Canada. It has enforcement agencies, social services, drug and alcohol control workers and other concerned citizens worried. Before coming to the Lake Country detachment, RCMP Sgt. Reg Burgess was a member of the Central Okanagan Crystal Meth Task Force and has seen the havoc meth can wreak. "It is such an ugly drug, we don't want it here at all," he says. Fortunately, this seems to be the case for Lake Country - so far. Since transferring to Lake Country several months ago, Burgess says his officers have mainly encountered the drug on people passing through town on the highway and he is aware of only one or two cases involving crystal meth locally in the past six months. Even in Kelowna, he says there were only a handful of reported cases. "It is here, but it hasn't been a problem like it has in communities like Maple Ridge," he explains. While it is still the fourth or fifth "drug of choice", he says instances of meth abuse in that community have ballooned in recent years. Crystal meth is a difficult drug for the RCMP to enforce because users require such a small amount to get high and it is therefore carry very little on their person. "In the city, crystal meth is a tough one to pick off," says Burgess. He adds that, even amongst hardcore drug users, there is such a stigma attached to crystal meth that users won't admit they're using it. Simply put, it is the most notorious drug for addicting users on the first attempt and, therefore, can permanently change somebody's life for the worse in a single dose. Not helping matters is the fact that it is a cheap drug to produce from easily obtainable ingredients - with readily available recipes on the Internet - and is therefore affordable for younger crowds. Since taking over as Principal of GESS last year, Des Sjoquist says there has been "less than a handful" of students involved in crystal meth, none of who are still in school. "It seems to be cleaning itself up maybe through awareness," he suggests. "We want to make sure our kids are aware of it and that they stay away from it." "We want to dispel the myth that it's an easy drug or a cool thing to do. It's a one-time thing that can have life-long effects." The main drug problem that Sjoquist encounters at GESS is marijuana, which, although considerably less harmful than meth, he says has no place at the school. For anybody wanting to fully realize the physical damage crystal meth can cause, Burgess suggests they look up the "Faces of Meth" campaign on the Internet, which displays "before and after" photos of meth users. The facial transformations, some of which occur over periods of only several months, are truly disturbing and will hopefully act as a deterrent for would-be users. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine