Pubdate: Wed, 02 Nov 2005
Source: Peninsula News Review (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Peninsula News Review
Contact:  http://www.peninsulanewsreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1373
Author: Christine van Reeuwyk
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

CS IN THE PREVENTION STAGE?

Imagine a cocktail of acetone, drain cleaner, paint thinner, kerosene,
lithium batteries and iodine. Throw in a little umbrella and suck it
back. The thought will make you sick, but that's what crystal meth
addicts do on a regular basis - the difference is they smoke it or
shoot it.

Crystal methamphetamine typically is smoked using glass pipes similar
to pipes used to smoke crack cocaine. Crystal methamphetamine also may
be injected. A user who smokes or injects the drug immediately
experiences an intense sensation followed by a high that may last 12
hours or more.

"It is a problem in our community and our province," Gord Irving told
the Central Saanich police board during an Oct. 24 meeting. "A few
months ago it took on a whole new awareness."

The discussion was in response to a letter to Central Saanich Council
from Crystal Meth Society Victoria offering to aid Central Saanich in
setting up a community crystal methamphetamine task force (Meth Watch).

"You want to ensure that your actions are sustainable," Irving
stressed.

Meth Watch Victoria was launched in August.

At the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities meeting earlier this year,
the provincial government committed $7 million towards a strategy to
integrate services for people with drug addiction across ministries,
such as mental health and addictions. That includes $3 million to
raise awareness, $2 million for seed money for communities like
Nanaimo to develop a task force and $2 million to improve treatment.

"You talk to parents and they have no clue how bad this is," Coun.
Susan Mason said.

"If we get one kid, great - but we're forgetting alcohol, bullying,"
Coun. Michelle Haddon countered. "We've had one death in the CRD in
the past six months directly related to crystal meth."

"I think we need to focus on why they're using," Haddon
added.

According to a BC coroners report Victoria only had one death with
meth present in 2004 but recorded no deaths with meth present in the
previous three years. The province saw 33 deaths with meth present
which more than doubled the 15 in 2003.

Besides death, crystal methamphetamine use is associated with numerous
serious physical problems. The drug can cause rapid heart rate,
increased blood pressure, and damage to the small blood vessels in the
brain - which can lead to stroke. Chronic use of the drug can result
in inflammation of the heart lining. Overdoses can cause hyperthermia,
convulsions, and death.

Individuals who use crystal methamphetamine also may have episodes of
violent behavior, paranoia, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia. The drug
can produce psychotic symptoms that persist for months or years after
an individual has stopped using the drug.

The Central Saanich Police Service is in the prevention stage of
crystal meth use in the area.

"We're participating in the Meth Watch program by trying to raise
awareness about it," said Clayton Pecknold, deputy chief. "We haven't
seen the ground results of crystal meth," he added. "We're taking an
incremental approach."

Central Saanich police have approached local businesses that supply
household items used in the manufacturing of the drug. Those
businesses have been educated on the products and quantities used in
meth manufacturing and how to report or deal with the situation if
someone purchases those items. Easily obtainable items include cold
medication containing ephedrine or pseudo-ephedrine, acetone, lithium
batteries, starter fluid (ether), drain cleaner (sulphuric acid),
paint thinner, lye, iodine, rubbing and isopropyl alcohol, drain
cleaners containing sulfuric acid or muriatic acid, gas additives
(methanol), rock salt, kerosene and matches (red phosphorous).

"We're trying to monitor this, without over re-sourcing it," Pecknold
explained.

They've also created an intelligence file for specifically
methamphetamine information.

During the meeting, Mason brought forward what she called "reliable
information" about dealing and other crimes rumoured to be occurring
at local middle and secondary schools.

Pecknold and Chief Paul Hames assured the board that Corporal Len
Nolan, the school liaison officer, frequents the local school grounds.
Once someone has been identified as a dealer that just starts the
process, police reminded the board.

"You really want to avoid stigmatizing youth," Coun. Chris Graham
pointed out. "I think right now we're at the prevention stage."

"It does nobody any good to say there are crimes going on at Bayside
that aren't happening and crimes at Stelly's that aren't happening,"
he added.

While they are aware of crystal methamphetamine, Central Saanich
police are concerned with all substance abuse by local youth. "We're
concerned about being aware of all substance use and abuse," Pecknold
stressed. "Meth is one, but so is cannabis abuse and so is alcohol
abuse."

"We'd certainly encourage parents to be aware of all substance abuse,"
he added.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin