Pubdate: Sat, 10 Sep 2005
Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948
Author: Beth Blackburn
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

RISK FACTORS INCREASE WHEN USING STREET DRUGS

As we embark on another school year, it starts in Victoria with a very 
tragic beginning. A 13-year-old girl ingests what she believes to be the 
drug ecstasy and dies.

My first thought? Why did this happen? It is a 100 per cent preventable death.

The drugs purchased by youth on the streets are of unknown makeup and 
concentration. There is no quality control on the manufacturing of these 
street drugs. This young girl put her safety, and ultimately her life, in 
the hands of a drug dealer whose only care in the world is money.

It is no mistake that a drug like crystal meth is being found in tablets 
sold to unsuspecting teenagers as ecstasy. This is a deadly game of Russian 
roulette that youth are playing with their lives. The result? A 13-year-old 
girl paid the highest price of all - her life.

Ecstasy is not a safe and harmless drug. It is a stimulant amphetamine drug 
in the same family of drugs as crystal meth. Ecstasy is MDMA 
(Methalydioxy-methamphetamine). It is usually found in a tablet form, but 
on B.C. streets it is not likely that you will find a tablet containing 100 
per cent MDMA.

In studies done by RCMP Drug Awareness Service in the past six years in 
B.C., the trends show that the tablets more than 50 per cent of the time 
contain some methamphetamine. This has been on a steady increase over the 
years. Ecstasy tablets are also being laced with other stimulant drugs such 
as ketamine, caffeine and ephedrine. These could lead to very tragic 
results to the user.

On Sept 15, at 6 p.m. a public forum will be held at McGirr elementary 
school to talk about crystal meth. It is in our community and it has a 
negative impact on the citizens of Nanaimo.

It is time for the citizens of this community to take a stand against drugs 
like crystal meth. I encourage every citizen to come to the meeting and get 
involved because this drug in our community effects everyone.

Community problem needs a community solution.

- -----------------------------------------

Const. Beth Blackburn is with the RCMP's Drugs and Organized Crime 
Awareness Service.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman