Pubdate: Thu, 03 Oct 2002
Source: Arrow Lakes News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 Arrow Lakes News
Contact:  http://www.arrowlakesnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2309
Author: Yvonne Schoff

READERS MAILBOX

The Editor:

While my 15-month old son and I were out for a leisurely stroll Monday 
morning we came across a small plastic "baggie" lying on the sidewalk.

This baggie turned out to be a bitter, shocking reminder of the ungodly 
past we had just escaped three months previous.

Moving from Athabasca, Alberta to Nakusp was an agonizing attempt to leave 
behind family, friends and a town that was being consumed by 
methamphetamines (crystal meth, speed, quick, jib).  Call it what you will, 
it nearly destroyed my life and was now lying on the street in front of me 
in the very town I had come to seek refuge and healing.

I reluctantly picked up the dingy baggie and wondered what to do, then 
realized that anyone could have seen the sped bag lying there and could 
have easily mistaken it for litter - but for some ironic reason, it was I 
who found it and sadly could not mistake its contents.

I knew that if I chose to suffer in silence, and say nothing, then others 
too would suffer in silence and speed might consume our peaceful valley.

Awareness is a powerful tool against drug addiction and so I want people to 
be aware of the possible side effects or signs of a speed addiction.

First of all, be concerned if someone is sleeping very little or not at all 
for days on end.

Watch for changes in loss of appetite, nervousness, excitability and 
forgetfulness.  (Being high on speed is similar to an alcoholic's blackout).

You may notice that a loved one is lying to you about where they've been or 
where they're going, speed addicts often lie and make up stories to hide 
their addiction or to find time to do the drug.

The scariest and most dangerous signs of speed use are the extreme mood 
swings and rages that can be terrifying and even life threatening.

Finally, suicidal thoughts and threats of suicide are very common among 
speed addicts and equally common are attempted suicides and deaths.

After knowing one of the deadliest drugs on the market I strongly feel that 
we need stricter laws and enforcement of these laws.  Those who are caught 
producing speed or distributing this deadly drug should be sentenced to the 
same punishment as murderers, after all they are killing innocent people.

Also, more taxpayers' dollars should be put toward investigating and 
seizing meth labs and dealers rather than toward less harmful drugs like 
marijuana and hashish.

Although crystal meth hasn't been focused on often in the news, it has 
recently been reported as "becoming an epidemic in B.C., and other reports 
say "it's the new drug of choice among our youth and the poor."  After all 
for a measly $20 one can be high for days.

I've seen how quickly speed can destroy a friend, a family, even a life - 
one report states that a cocaine addict may not notice the effects of long 
term cocaine use for 10 - 15 years but one who uses speed notices the 
effects within two or three months.

Those who think speed is a recreational drug are dangerously deceiving 
themselves.  Speed is extremely addictive and even after using the drug 
five times, chances are that you are already addicted.

For now, the best thing we can do is to talk honestly with our children 
about drugs and how easy it is to become an addict - no matter who you are.

Certainly, if you know someone or you have an addiction to any substance, 
get help immediately by calling Narcotics Anonymous, a detox centre, 
rehabilitation centre, counsellors, or even family and friends.

Your RCMP office would be willing to help you find support you desperately 
need.

Don't be afraid to ask for help and remember.  Don't try and hide or escape 
your problems by running away from them, like I have learned. They have a 
way of following you until you deal with them.

Yvonne Schoff

Nakusp
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MAP posted-by: Beth