Pubdate: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 Source: Edson Leader (CN AB) Copyright: 2003 Edson Leader Contact: http://www.bowesnet.com/edson/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/780 Author: Amy Anderson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) COUNTY HEARS ABOUT METH PROBLEM It seems everybody these days is talking about methamphetamine and its availability to people in Yellowhead County. With Edson forming a new drug coalition, it was only a matter of time before Yellowhead County council was approached to help with the new drug task force. Edson RCMP Corp. Glenn Henry presented meth information to council at its committee of the whole meeting Oct. 20. Henry mostly relayed information from the meth meeting held in Edson Oct. 8 but he couldn't divulge all information at the meeting. "It's not in our best interest to talk candidly with the media present. It is a complex issue but I will give you a basic overview," Henry said. He explained the first meth case he'd seen when he moved to Edson and how the problem has gotten progressively worse. "I don't know of anyone in the Edson area that has recovered from meth use," he said. With an undercover operation bringing down a $30,000 meth operation in an Edson hotel room this May, Henry said the drug is here and is here to stay unless the community becomes involved. "The police can't do this alone, it's still a community problem," he said. The Edson committee is comprised of 27 people, with six being appointed to a steering committee to oversee direction of the group. Edson isn't alone in its idea of a meth coalition, Hinton and Drayton Valley have also set up drug abuse committees and Evansburg has one of a smaller scale, said Debbie Charest, director of community services for Yellowhead County. "(The meth problem) is not new, what's new is it is being more visible. It is in the public eye and the community needs to be involved," Charest added. Edson's initial coordinated meeting on Oct. 8 was a brainstorming session and when the committee meets again Nov. 3, there will be more on the table to discuss. "We're trying to increase public awareness, have an open dialogue, strategic planning and solicit governments for support of local initiatives," Henry said. But the meth problem was brought to health officials' attention June 9, when the Aspen Regional Health Authority received a study of what people in the region thought the major health concerns were in the area. "The Number 1 problem in this area was drug use or abuse," Henry said. To help combat the meth problem, Henry said the county should be made aware of the committee and input information or support as it concerns everyone in the county. "I know in dialogue with your constituents, you've heard about break and enters, vehicle thefts and gatherings - all of which are mostly related to drug use," Henry said. There have been drug users targetted in the Niton, Marlboro and Gainford areas, Henry said, adding people come into the area from the city hoping to sell their product. "Meth comes in from the city on its way to Jasper and B.C., but it is likely being produced here as well," he added. Reeve Doug Kopp was concerned about the meth problem but suggested the county partner with all three coalitions and not just Edson's, as the entire county is affected. "It should be a coordinated plan," he said. Coun. Gary Conger supported the Edson coalition but wanted council to take an active role. "I'd say we draft letters to the Hinton, Edson and Drayton Valley groups in efforts to cooperate with them," Conger said. "A start is good - at this stage we try to move forward with community support," Henry said. "I want something started that is bigger than everyone here in this room," he added. Nov. 3 is the next meeting but Jan. 27 is the meeting where funding talks will begin and subcommittees will form, Henry said, Council will also come into play when subcommittees are needed. "We strongly support this initiative," Kopp said. "Our initiative, our problem," Henry added. Council moved the meth presentation for information. What is meth? Many people don't know how serious the meth problem is in the region. Here is some background information on the drug. Street names for meth Street names for meth include speed, ice, crystal meth, crank, glass, grit, fast, quick and jib. Meth is a central nervous system stimulant that causes the neurotransmitters dopmine, noradrenaline and serotonin to be released from nerve endings into the brain, causing pleasurable sensations. As well, it inhibits the re-uptake of dopamine. Meth causes nerve cells to fire and amplifies the existing nerve activity. After experiencing the high, the user crashes. But, because it is highly addictive, the user becomes dependent because of the rapid reward and the rapid crash. Two distinct patterns emerge: . Chronic periodic use. User takes hits or puffs of meth throughout the day, stopping early enough to sleep at night. . Binge use. Users will administer the drug for several days at a time without sleeping, gradually increasing the dose. When they run out of the drug or their brains can no longer respond, they crash and rest. Long-term effects Long-term effects include long term brain damage, moodiness and irritability, anxiousness, aggressive behaviour with increased likelihood of violent behaviour, hallucinations and other behaviour that resembles paraniod schizophrenia, paranoia, confusion, insomnia, malnutrition, dental problems and many others. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin