Pubdate: Thu, 23 Oct 2008
Source: Midland Mirror (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 Midland Mirror
Contact: http://www.midlandmirror.com/letter_to_editor
Website: http://www.midlandmirror.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2211
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

METH'S ARRIVAL IN MIDLAND NO SURPRISE

Troubling Though It May Be, The Arrival In Midland Of The Illegal 
Drug Crystal Methamphetamine Should Not Be Surprising.

Also known as "ice," "crank," "jib," "glass" and numerous other 
street names, crystal meth is a powerful stimulant that speeds up the 
central nervous system.

Users experience increased wakefulness, a heightened sense of 
well-being and a decreased appetite. The Centre for Addiction and 
Mental Health describes the feeling as similar to that produced by 
cocaine, but with greater staying power.

Made from readily available and relatively inexpensive ingredients - 
the Internet is chockablock with websites offering instructions - 
crystal meth's effects can last from six hours to as long as 12 hours.

The western provinces have been Ground Zero for crystal meth in 
Canada. In British Columbia, it became so prevalent the government 
created a crystal meth secretariat to co-ordinate the official 
response and help communities battle the problem.

The drug is less common as one travels farther east, but police 
across Ontario are no longer shocked when it appears.

And now meth is in Midland.

Police arrested a 62-year-old Wyevale man on Oct. 14 after they broke 
up an alleged scheme to distribute nearly 40 grams of crystal meth, 
as well as ecstasy and prescription drugs like Oxycontin, Dilaudid, 
Ritalin and Viagra.

The drugs seized have a street value of $16,000.

Naive is the word for anyone who believed crystal meth's ugly shadow 
would never fall on Midland. But, now that it is here, what can we do?

Awareness is a good first step. That's why the Racing Against Drugs 
(RAD) event put on by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, area 
police services, and local schools and businesses is such a good idea.

Now in its 12th year locally, the initiative has touched hundreds of 
Grade 5 students with its message - sweetened with a dollop of fun 
and laughter - of drug avoidance.

Judging by the reaction last week, it's a formula that has a chance 
of reaching at least some of the target audience.

That being said, it's undeniable that some of those hundreds of 
children will fall prey to the temptation of drugs and/or alcohol. 
It's frightening to wonder how many of those sweet-faced youngsters 
of today are the meth users of tomorrow.

With the best efforts of police, community groups, teachers and, most 
importantly, parents, let's hope it is very few.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom