Pubdate: Sat, 25 Jun 2005 Source: Chilliwack Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Chilliwack Times Contact: http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1357 Author: Derek Spalding Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) THEIR MESSAGE IS CRYSTAL CLEAR...'METH IS HERE' Crystal meth caused Eva Bonner to hallucinate and become severely paranoid. As a user, she lost everything. She nearly lost her life, but she turned it around when she lost her most valued possession-her daughter. Bonner shared her story with more than 350 people who attended yesterday's crystal methamphetamine forum in Chilliwack. The Sto:lo Nation and Sto:lo Tribal Council teamed up with the RCMP in organizing the conference, which aimed to raise awareness of the dangers surrounding crystal meth. The message was clear: "Meth is here and it's a real problem," Sto:lo Grand Chief Clarence Pennier told the Times. Over the last few years the meth problem has ballooned in the Fraser Valley. A study conducted by the Health Authority for this region in 2003 indicates that workers at addiction centres, mental health facilities, and emergency rooms have seen a significant spike in the number of meth users. Pennier, who also sat on the drug task force in Mission, understands the complexities of meth and its "devastating" effects. He and other organizers collaborated in putting together a sophisticated conference explaining how meth affects people both physically and mentally, what meth looks like, how it's used, and where it comes from. "The police can't do it by themselves," said Pennier, who stresses the importance of a community-wide response. "Building communities lets drug dealers know they're being watched." Every spokesperson at Tzeachten Hall yesterday echoed one another when mentioning a collaborative community effort to eradicate the drug problems that plague neighbourhoods everywhere. The RCMP explained their approach to battling the drug problem not only in B.C. but all across the country. Const. Dean Gladue of the RCMP drug awareness service recognized the need for the three-prongued approach of prevention, treatment and enforcement. "We need to educate people about the drugs, which is what we're doing today-knowledge is power... We need better, more effective treatment programs, and of course we still need enforcement," Gladue said. On Wednesday, Solicitor General John Les told the Times he does not plan to encourage legislation that regulates the sale of over-the-counter cold and flu medicines used for making crystal meth. Instead, he's asking the federal government to ramp up border security to hinder the bulk supply of the drug's "precursor" ingredients. "My response to that is: we can put more police on the boarders, but we need regulations to limit the amount of these ingredients that people can buy at pharmacies or your local hardware stores," said Gladue. As for Bonner, she testifies to the importance of having addiction services available. After social services came to take away her daughter, Olivia, she was ready to quit, but without the Sto:lo Nation day treatment program she never would have made it. "[Treatment centres] give you your self-confidence back and make you feel good about yourself," she said from her table at the conference. "They let you know you're not alone, that there are more people out there just like you." Bonner's use of meth-even though she quit during her pregnancy-could be the cause of Olivia's gastroschisis (whe was born with her bowel protruding outside the body). As a single mom, Bonner endured more depression and again picked up meth. Soon the out-going social butterfly became an introvert. She developed strong paranoia and suffered from severe delusion. "The FBI were everywhere outside my house, yet I live in Canada," Bonner said laughing at herself. "Even after I stopped, I still saw children, who weren't there, playing in my front yard. Then I saw a parade go by my house." She spent two days in the MSA psyche ward and then she went home and slept for 10 days. Realizing she would need help she turned to the day treatment centre in Chilliwack. Six weeks later she graduated, and on July 15, Olivia will return home to her mom. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin