Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jun 2006
Source: Pilot, The (CN NF)
Section: Bits And Butts
Copyright: 2006 Transcontinental Media
Contact:  http://www.lportepilot.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4189
Author: Howard Butt
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

IT AIN'T FUNNY

It's funny how some words take on different meanings with the passing of time!

Take the word "gay" for example. There was a time when it was perfectly 
normal to say that you were "happy and gay." But that's changed. Now most 
of us will use another expression such as we're "happy and full of fun" or 
just "happy and happy" rather than use the "g" word.

I remember back in the 1950s and early '60's when we left home it was by 
boat because that was the mode of travel for us islanders. One of the 
regular passenger boats was one called the "Gay Rambler." I have a funny 
feeling that today that boat would have been long since renamed. Probably 
to the "Happy Wanderer" or the "Merry Rover" or something like that!

Remember when the word "tweak" was the action used by your mother or 
grandmother if you weren't paying attention, particularly at church? They'd 
reach out and with forefinger and thumb give your ear a smart little nip or 
"tweak." It was enough to get your attention - your full attention - so 
that you behaved as you should.

But today that word "tweak", too, has taken on another meaning. It's really 
the same action by reaching and picking with a sharp pull but this time 
it's not funny. No way, blue jay! "Tweaking" is one of the possible side 
effects that comes with the use of the drug crystal meth. Sometimes when an 
individual is coming down from an overdose of meth, he has the feeling and 
belief that spiders are crawling over his flesh - and this could be 
anywhere on his body. This causes the person to "tweak" or pick at the 
spot, an action which is highly concentrated and continuous. Even after the 
tweaking opens a sore, the tweaking will continue until there is a gaping 
wound - and the action still continues. Frightening.

For the unenlightened, crystal meth is short for crystal methamphetamine - 
and most of you, like myself, are still unenlightened because that word is 
just too big and complicated. It's like the young student told his teacher 
when asked to spell the word Mesopotamia - "it can't be spelled, sir!" was 
the answer. But, accept the fact that it indeed is a word and that it 
stands for something you'd rather not hear about and certainly not come in 
contact with.

Crystal meth, for short, is the street drug which today is seemingly 
getting the most attention, and, sad to say, is getting the attention 
particularly of youth. And it's dangerous. Highly dangerous. What is worse, 
some of the so-called lesser drugs, such as marijuana, are often laced with 
meth and the user is totally unaware.

Professionals tell us that you may use crystal meth once and get away with 
it - use it the second time, and you're hooked. And it's frightening.

How dangerous? The Internet tells us that crystal meth use "is associated 
with numerous serious physical problems. The drug can cause rapid heart 
rate, increase blood pressure and do damage to the small blood vessels in 
the brain - which can lead to stroke. Chronic use of the drug can result in 
inflammation of the heart lining. Overdoses can cause hyperthermia 
(elevated body temperature), convulsions and death."

And if that's not enough, individuals who use crystal meth also may have 
"episodes of violent behaviour, paranoia, anxiety, confusion and insomnia. 
The drug can produce psychotic symptoms that persist for months or years 
after an individual has stopped using the drug."

Those who inject the drug open themselves to further complications. And it 
ain't funny.

Just recently here in Twillingate a joint effort by groups of concerned 
adults presented an addictions program through the elementary school. And 
the program, it is understood, was instituted to a large extent because of 
the concern with the growing prevalence of crystal meth in today's society. 
The program consisting of messages from students, RCMP and addictions 
counsellors should have been made mandatory for everyone - every chick and 
child and grandmother - to see.

The program, called "Forever Free," had the honor choir of Twillingate 
Island Elementary introducing the program with an impressive 30-minute 
demonstration of talent. They started and ended with a pledge to remain 
"forever free" of drugs and alcohol and they gave their reasons in song and 
dialogue why they had chosen that stand. Yet, we know from past experiences 
what will happen to a number of them, too, by the time they reach their 
mid-teens, if not earlier.

The answer in attempting to avert that scenario, I would suggest, is the 
provision of far more role models, and I mean good role models who just 
don't adhere to the "do as I tell you" approach but actually live it. Those 
models along with more education such as was provided through Forever Free 
should help those young people face what lies ahead of them with the will 
and self esteem to handle wisely the situations that will undoubtedly 
confront them.

Otherwise, there will be a lot of heartache. Believe me, it ain't funny!
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D