Pubdate: Fri, 24 Jun 2005
Source: Chilliwack Progress (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Chilliwack Progress
Contact:  http://www.theprogress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/562
Author: Jennifer Feinberg, Progress staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

MEETING OF THE MINDS ON METH

The addictions specialist told the Chilliwack crowd he spent a lot of
time tracking down the famous image of the pan-fried eggs that came
with the tag-line: This is your brain on drugs."

Dr. Shaohua Lu coaxed a laugh from those gathered at Tzeachten Hall
Thursday morning with that little story, as he launched into his
informal yet scientific talk on the impacts of crystal meth use, and
its links to long-term mental health issues.

He chose the fried-eggs analogy to underscore the damage and re-wiring
of the brain that can result from the sneaky and destructive street
drug known as meth, crystal or crank.

First-time users often feel so good, they'll often say things like,
Holy smokes, I feel great. I can't believe it's illegal," he said.

The addictions expert said it's because meth can mimic the euphoric
feelings of dopamine, a natural chemical in the brain, so for many
right from the start, it doesn't feel foreign to us."

Although he said he didn't want to scare people, however it will be
the case in some people with genetic ties (to addiction) that with as
little as a single try, they can become addicted."

Working in the psychiatry department of Vancouver General, teaching at
UBC and planning emergency response on substance abuse and addictions,
Dr. Lu has seen a lot.

I've consulted on trauma cases where it's not unusual for people
involved in stabbings, fights or accidents to say, 'I don't know why
I'm here,' when they wake up in the hospital," he said.

It's become understood that the meth problem has increasingly spread
worldwide, with the highly concentrated form being smoked or injected
by users. It's used by truckers to stay awake and young women to lose
weight, and by many for the euphoric and alert feelings it provokes.
But the long-term ill effects are lengthy, from mood disturbances, to
violence, skin picking, paranoia, and brain shrinkage.

It goes to the fundamental heart of our brain function," he warned.
Everything about us gets changed as a result."

Globally, it's number three, he explained, coming behind alcohol and
marijuana, as the most widely used substances.

Dr. Lu's talk was all part of a one-day community forum on methamphetamine
that included a screening of the film, Tweaked, and a variety of guest
speakers and attendees from various Sto:lo and health agencies.

Throughout the day there was first-hand testimony from former addicts,
presentations by RCMP and other groups, followed by breakout
discussions to brainstorm community solutions.

During the question period that followed the talk, a principal of the
Alternate program in the Fraser Cascade School District asked about
what could be expected in the way of treatment outcomes.

Steven Fachler told the crowd that out of the six young women who
underwent treatment for meth addiction, only one had any degree of
success in recovery.

The younger a person is when they first start using the more likely
they will have long-term problems with it," Dr. Lu said including
psychotic episodes. When someone gets into substance abuse they end up
way behind in their progress. It takes time to see them socially
engaged again."

Mr. Fachler expressed frustration at the high cost of treatment, which
he said can be $162 a day, and the difficulty getting funding for
youth treatment.

For treatment to be a success, often there has to be repeated
treatments. It just means they have to keep trying," Dr. Lu added.

He said that substance abuse treatment has consistently" been shown to
be cheaper than the cost of going through the criminal justice system
for example. And he says school teachers may not be the best vehicle
for addictions information. Peer members seem to work better.

The way we fund substance abuse (treatment) is completely wrong," Dr.
Lu said, criticizing the way addictions are treated differently than
other illnesses. Imagine telling someone with diabetes, that they
can't come back again for more treatment if they get sick again."

He says funding agencies need to understand that it's the same.

Just keep pushing for it, he said, imploring attendees to lobby for
funding. The young people deserve it."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin