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.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin