Pubdate: Sat, 24 Jun 2006 Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC) Copyright: 2006, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948 Author: Joshua Dahling IS METH A MYTH? THIS WRITER SAYS YES To the Editor, Over the years I have received, provided, and developed programs/services regarding adolescent substance-use. Like many, my invested interests have motivated me to attend countless forums with the hope that there would be answers to these issues, yet the same themes prevail: "We have a problem, we have a problem, and we have a problem"! Lately, there has been plenty of hype about crystal meth: task-forces have been formed, funds have been provided to communities, car thieves have become icons. The News Bulletin even published a special four-page section on the topic. Certainly, I understand the effects of this drug, but it is not an epidemic like we've been led to believe. Crystal meth is one of the least-used substances amongst youth and other drug users. Furthermore, alcohol use has been plaguing this country for years, yet we hear little about those statistics. I urge readers to research it themselves or to look at some of the studies that have already been done. Overall, the problem isn't about the drug use or what drug is most popular; it's about why these youth are using and what we can do to either prevent it or intervene. Certainly, forums have the advantage of providing awareness, but when our "professionals" are jumping on a bandwagon and misinforming us, they are literally doing the community a disservice. The solution appears to be six beds and information about meth. I am asking how effective will this be, and what is it going to cost us -- not only in dollars but also in lives? Joshua Dahling, via e-mail - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman