Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jun 2005
Source: Journal Argus (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Journal Argus
Contact:  http://www.stmarys.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2197
Author: Maggie Whitcroft
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

CITY NEWSPAPER EYES PERTH DRUG PROBLEM

'Crystal Meth' Increasingly A Drug Of Choice For Youth

Perth County made front page news in the Toronto Star on Saturday,
June 18 with mention of St. Marys in a story about crystal
methamphetamine becoming a big problem.

The article describes how "crystal meth" labs have become very
prevalent in Perth County and the hardships many young people have
endured because of their addiction to the drug.

"Through our investigations we certainly do know there are meth labs
out there and people making methamphetamine and I think over the last
two years we've had 12 or 13 meth labs that we have come across in our
area," Constable Glen Childerley, Sebringville OPP Media Relations
Officer told the Journal Argus.

Catharine Hardman, Director of Choices for Change in Stratford, said,
"meth is certainly becoming a large issue in our area. We've seen a
significant increase in the last five years and now in the last 2-3
years.

"The problem is growing and people need to be aware that it's not a
big city issue. It impacts on our community. It's easy to put our head
in the sand and not deal with it."

Meth is considered a dangerous drug which is highly addictive. It's
also cheap, and it gets you high for a long time -- longer than some
other types of drugs. All of this contributes to making it a drug of
choice for youth.

"The chemicals that go into making meth affect behaviour and that
comes out as meth psychosis. That adds to the dangers of it," said
Hardman, who make regular visits to St. Marys DCVI for counselling
services as a satellite service of Choices for Change.

"At DCVI there is certainly an increase in use with the youth. A lot
of young people are getting into the chemicals at an earlier age."

Meth, a more pure and potent form of speed, is popular with teens and
young people in their early to mid 20s. The drug is also called ice,
jib, glass or tina on the street.

Perth County is ideal for building and operating meth labs, due to the
close proximity to farms making it easy to obtain the fertilizer,
anhydrous ammonia, an ingredient in cooking crystal meth. The drug's
other ingredients -- including some found in across-the-counter cold
medicines and some taken from batteries --are also widely available.

St. Marys mayor Tony Winter, a member of the town's Police Services
Board, was made more aware of the drug recently when it was addressed
during a meeting of Ontario municipal leaders.

"The drug is dangerous on two levels: one out of four meth labs
explode, and secondly it is dangerous to the individuals using it,"
Winter told the Journal Argus. "About a year ago the police services
board was invited to a district convention and I attended a workshop
on meth labs in Perth County."

According to Mayor Winter, "it's certainly something we'll have to
discuss." He says he will do that "on Wednesday morning at the Police
Services Board meeting. Certainly (the Toronto Star article) is not
good publicity for the town but we hope that youth would stay away
from the material.

"Any small town is prey to that type of material."

Merley Wheaton recently won an award from the school board for his
work as project facilitator at DCVI for the "It Takes a Village"
project. He commented that, "ultimately, our community has to decide
if drug use is acceptable. Are these drug issues part of our community?

"I think that is really the question we have to answer. There are not
a lot of resources present to help students who want to change their
addictive habits."

Help is available for anyone trying to break free from an addictive
habit or for anyone looking for support that is living with someone
with an addiction.

Choices for Change offers support for alcohol, drug and gambling
addiction and is funded through the Ministry of Health so there are no
fees involved in going for treatment. Their youth program operates
satellite offices in all of the Perth County secondary schools every
week, as well as in their main office in downtown Stratford. They
provide free, confidential counselling to anyone concerned. For more
information call Choices for Change at 271-6730 or 1-800-218-0077.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin