Pubdate: Tue, 18 Nov 2003
Source: Penticton Western (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Penticton Western
Contact:  http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1310
Author: Wolf Depner
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

NEW DRUG OF CHOICE DANGEROUS, ADDICTIVE

The spread locally of crystal methamphetamine is causing concern among 
police and drug addiction counsellors.

"It's a very, very dangerous drug," said Cpl. Scott Rintoul, of the RCMP 
Drug Awareness Section, E Division.

Use of the drug initially popular in the gay community is rising across all 
sections of society, he said.

The exact number of local users is unknown, but available statistics show 
an increase, said Jeanni Jones, agency director of Pathways: Addictions 
Resource Centre.

Pathways did not start seeing crystal meth users for treatment until 1999, 
she said. The number of cases has since gone up from three in 1999 to six 
in 2000, 24 in 2001, 35 in 2002 and 52 through the first 10 months of 2003, 
said Jones.

Crystal meth - which can be consumed orally, injected or smoked - is pure 
stimulation, said Rintoul.

Those who use crystal meth in small amounts experience a "tingling" feeling 
similar to being excited or having a "crush" on somebody, said Danny 
Highley, a Pathways counsellor.

"In large amounts ... the rush you get is extremely pleasurable," he said.

That feeling can last for up to 10 hours, he said.

But the after-effects of crystal meth use are devastating, Highley said.

They can include rapid weight loss, extreme paranoia and hallucinations. 
Users start constructing elaborate scenarios that makes them lose touch 
with reality, said Highley. And the damage caused can be in some cases 
permanent, said Rintoul.

"Methamphetamine is neuro-toxic to the point where people do develop 
psychotic disorders as a result," he said.

What worries Rintoul is the availability of crystal meth. Only a few items 
readily available at hardware stores are needed to produce it, he said. 
"It's a relatively easy process," he said.

And because it is easy to produce, crystal meth is cheap. For about $10, 
users can secure a "hit" that lasts for several hours, said Jones. 
Controlling the spread of crystal meth may be difficult because of its 
ingredients, said Rintoul.

"There is no control we can put on because the chemicals required we use 
every day."

Parents, however, can play a role in limiting the spread of crystal meth 
among young people by talking to their children about drugs and recognizing 
physical effects such as weight loss, he said.
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