Pubdate: Fri, 19 Aug 2005
Source: Hanover Post, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thepost.on.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2612
Author: Lori Gillespie
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

STORY OF CRYSTAL METH FAR FROM OVER

It started as an information piece in response to the plight of a locally 
family. Their teenager had fallen under the influence of crystal meth, and 
the family wanted the community to know what the drug is and how to tell if 
your kid is on it.

As a series, Not My Kid: Crystal Meth in Your Community took off in ways 
that we at The Post could never have predicted. What started as an 
information piece brought out so many different stories about the drug -- a 
drug that many of us barely knew existed.

It was an education for The Post, as well as for our readers, and we're 
pleased that it was so well received. During the 12-week series, we saw 400 
people turn out for a public meeting to learn more about crystal meth from 
local experts. We saw a large drug bust that focussed on crystal meth and 
charged 38 people for various drug offences.

We met A.J., a young Hanover man who battled the drug and lived to tell 
about it. And he is admirably dedicated to telling as many people about 
crystal meth and other drugs as possible, in order to save them and their 
families the heartache, pain and consequences of drug abuse. We support him.

We met parents whose children are struggling with addictions to crystal 
meth, and felt the pain that they are going through. We're happy to report 
that several of those individuals are now seeking help.

We learned that help is not easy to find, with prohibitively long waiting 
lists -- too long for an addict who needs help right now, before giving up 
and going back to the drug and, likely, the streets.

We met other individuals who were able to show us the ravages their bodies 
have undergone thanks to using crystal meth. They wanted to serve as 
examples for other people, especially teenagers and young adults, who might 
have been thinking about using crystal meth. Hopefully, their message was 
received.

We also met the officials who are trying to combat the problem. Thank you 
to our local police services and OPP officers, who have been extremely 
supportive of The Post and this series. Thank you especially to Hanover 
Police Chief Tracy David and Detective Sergeant Brett Mailloux, who is 
leading the OPP in investigating methamphetamine labs and combatting drug 
dealers.

Ultimately, we learned that crystal meth is not a remote problem reserved 
for faraway cities and other provinces. It is very much a rural phenomenon, 
and it is here, in our small towns, in our schools and, for many, in our homes.

A deep thank you to all who spoke out in our series to help show the 
communities we serve the ravages that crystal meth wreaks, the increased 
crime that it creates, and hopefully influence people against using the drug.

It may be the end of the series, but the story is far from over. The Post 
is dedicated to continuing coverage of the effects of crystal meth on the 
community and, with hope, the success of putting traffickers, producers and 
users of meth where they belong.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom