Pubdate: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 Source: Taber Times, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2004 The Taber Times Contact: http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/ttimes/home/index.php Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2262 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) METH WILL BE MAJOR BATTLE IN AB The battle against drugs continues to get more difficult with the introduction of D-methamphetamine to the streets of Alberta. This new, easily made and cheaply acquired drug has the Taber Police Service very worried for the future and with good cause. A cheap, addictive drug is exactly what the drug underworld has been searching for. Cocaine hit the streets in the late 70s and early 80s and quickly became the drug of choice because of its addictive power. The cost, however, was restrictive. Along comes crack, a cocaine derivative that made the processing of cocaine cheaper and easier. In no time, crack became the drug of choice. D-methamphetamine is easier and cheaper to produce than either cocaine or crack. The process is fairly simple, yet dangerous. The street price makes this drug accessible to a very large number of drug users, notably younger drug users, and the addictive power suggests this will be a long battle for police and drug support agencies. Taber has yet to see meth use balloon into a major problem on the street, but without preventative measures being taken by the Taber Police Service it soon will be. Education, especially among young people, will be key in keeping meth off Taber streets. Getting the message out that meth is both highly addictive and extremely dangerous will help stem the flow of the drug into Taber. If that message is not given, people will not hesitate for a second to try this new, cheap thrill. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom