If you can remember back to the summer of 2005, when The Post offered a 12-part series, Not My Kid: Crystal Meth in Your Community, which tackled the subject of methamphetamines in order to educate the community, you will no doubt remember Beth (Part 9: Seeing through crystal clear mythology), and her story of an addict who had plenty to tell us about the drug, the lifestyle and the manufacturing of crystal meth. With her permission, I want to share this poem that Beth (not her real name) wrote a couple of years ago. This poem could only have been written by someone who has "been there" and I think it is very prolific. [continues 435 words]
It started as an information piece in response to the plight of a locally family. Their teenager had fallen under the influence of crystal meth, and the family wanted the community to know what the drug is and how to tell if your kid is on it. As a series, Not My Kid: Crystal Meth in Your Community took off in ways that we at The Post could never have predicted. What started as an information piece brought out so many different stories about the drug -- a drug that many of us barely knew existed. [continues 435 words]
HANOVER -- The federal government answered calls last week for stiffer penalties for cooking, selling and possessing crystal meth. The maximum penalty for the trafficking and manufacturing of methamphetamine will go from 10 years to life in prison in Canada. Anyone caught in possession of methamphetamine will face a maximum sentence of seven years, instead of three years. The announcement was made last Thursday by health and justice ministers. Last week, The Post reported the imbalance of sentencing when it comes to methamphetamine. Until now, those charged with marijuana faced much tougher penalties than charges for crystal meth -- a dangerously addictive drug that has been growing in popularity across North America, including Grey and Bruce counties. [continues 848 words]
Combatting Crystal Meth In The Courts WALKERTON -- While police throughout North America are working hard to combat the surge in use, production and trafficking of methamphetamine, there is frustration in Canada's judicial system. The problem, says Walkerton lawyer Brian Van De Vyvere, the federal crown attorney for the local area, is that crystal meth, in its form today, is quite new. "Crystal meth wasn't around when the legislation was made (for the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act)," Van De Vyvere said in a recent interview. [continues 846 words]
OWEN SOUND -- If you are hooked on crystal meth (or another substance) and wish to get help, your work has only just begun. Not only is it difficult to ask for help, it can be a challenge to get help, too, depending on whether you require counselling or more rigorous detoxification in a residential setting. Some of the most shocking news during the methamphetamine information meeting, held in Hanover in June, came from Dave Roy of Choices in Owen Sound. He told the crowd of about 400 people sitting in the Civic Theatre that the only drug counselling service available in Grey and Bruce counties was significantly understaffed. [continues 1415 words]
HANOVER -- Beth (not her real name) rolls up her sleeves to expose scar-ridden arms. She leans to her right and pulls up her blouse to show more scars on her thin torso. Then she shares the reality of a tweaker -- a person addicted to crystal meth. "You pick at your skin, and then the hole that you've picked fills with blood," she says matter-of-factly. "To me, it looked like a big black bug in my skin, so I would pick more." [continues 1495 words]
WALKERTON -- When it comes to drug addiction, Public Health, based in Walkerton, is focussed on prevention. Public health nurse Linda Yenssen was a panelist at the June information meeting on methamphetamine in Hanover, and addressed things that parents can do to help prevent their children from falling victim to addiction. "It takes parents, community and schools to help make young people healthy and help them build their lives," Yenssen says. "It really does take a village to raise a child." In response to the public meeting in June, Yenssen has had three invitations to speak to local groups. [continues 714 words]
HANOVER -- "This town is going crazy," says Jim Green, 51, of Hanover. He should know. He was hooked on speed (methamphetamine, also known as meth, crystal meth, ice, jib and many other names) for three years, until 10 years ago, but he still has connections, and he knows firsthand what the drug does. The last time Green did speed was Jan. 25, 1995. "I was a mess, and it opened my eyes," he says, sitting in an interview room at the Hanover Police Services. This interview was arranged by Hanover Police Chief Tracy David, at Green's request, in response to the "Not My Kid" series in The Post. [continues 870 words]
HANOVER -- Six parents sit in a local home, sipping lemonade, with the appearance of a casual visit. But there's nothing casual about this meeting -- it's all about offering support, a kind shoulder to cry on and an understanding ear to listen to the heart wrenching stories that are all too familiar to each of them. This past spring, a local couple began a support group for parents whose children have become addicted to crystal meth. This couple have been through hell with their son, but they've got a story of hope for parents going through similar problems. Their kid got help, and is in the process of cleaning up his life. [continues 1166 words]
HANOVER -- Four-hundred local residents crushed into a hot civic theatre in Hanover Monday night to hear about methamphetamine abuse. Fifty more were turned away at the door, while people sat in the aisles, at the end of the stage and stood in the doorway to hear about a drug problem that has spread across North America and has made a home in communities like Hanover. The meeting, planned by Hanover Police Services, Public Health and Victim Services, was a start, said people after the meeting. [continues 888 words]
Part Four HANOVER -- The first time A.J. Scott did crystal meth was New Year's Eve, when he was in Grade 12. He was already drunk and everyone else at the party was doing it too. Scott turned 23 on April 30. The next day, he quit doing drugs. Since then, he has been trying to help his friends who are hooked on methamphetamines, so far with no results. Continuing that effort, he has asked to speak at a public information meeting planned for Mon., June 27 to tell people in the community about his experiences. [continues 1322 words]
HANOVER -- "What we know and what we can do are two separate issues." South Bruce OPP Constable John Kummer echoes the frustration of other area law enforcers, as he points out the problem with enforcing the law when it comes to methamphetamines. "We can have all the suspicions, but without the evidence, there's not much we can do." The common refrain when talking about methamphetamines in local communities -- and across North America -- is this: What are the police doing about it? [continues 926 words]
HANOVER -- There is a monster in our midst. Its effects on those who fall in its path are devastating, and potentially fatal. The monster is known by many names, most commonly "crystal meth," and its abuse and destruction is reaching epidemic proportions in your community. According to local parents, educators and police, teenage use of crystal meth has increased rapidly in the past two years. In the past year, the drug has become a top concern of local police forces. Not My Kid: Crystal Meth in Your Community is a multi-part series, exclusive to The Post. We have spoken to local parents under the promise of anonymity, breaking a strict editorial rule at The Post in order to protect the identity of the families who are being affected by this epidemic. There is a very real fear of reprisal from the drug community, especially for those who are trying to recover from use of the drug. [continues 918 words]
