Pubdate: Wed, 03 Aug 2005
Source: Nanton News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Nanton News
Contact:  http://www.nantonnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3200
Author: Josh Skapin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

EDUCATION ON METH ADDICTION

Nanton News -- Constable Mary French hasn't been in Nanton for very long 
and has already spotted an issue she is all too familiar with.

Some of her first days on the job involved crystal methamphetamine addicts.

French addressed the town's emergency services personnel at the Nanton Fire 
Hall, regarding the presence of the drug in Nanton July 21.

She spoke about her professional encounters with users and brought in a DVD 
filmed in Alberta, entitled Crystal Meth -- Straight up.

"I am sad to say that meth is here," said French, " But this is a small 
community and I think if we educate people really quickly on the signs of a 
meth user than hopefully we can quickly get a hold of this before it 
becomes a real problem."

Previously French worked at the St. Albert dispatch where she said the drug 
was an alarming concern.

"I had not dealt with a meth user my first year there," said French. "Then 
they seemed to come out of the woodwork with 90 per cent of the complaints 
being meth-related."

Some of the signs to watch for are paranoia, weight loss. A skin condition 
covering their bodies that resembles acne, depression, and odour.

"When I have a meth user in my car," said French, "I literally have to air 
my car out for a couple of days because their body starts to rot."

She says while the problem isn't at a point where there is cause for alarm, 
awareness is needed to ensure the problem is quickly swept out of town.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom