Pubdate: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc. Contact: http://www.medicinehatnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833 Author: Frank Pautler Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers) RESIDENTS LEARN ABOUT LATEST DRUG EPIDEMIC The Medicine Hat College auditorium was filled to capacity for the city police's presentation on a dangerous and addicting drug which is starting to surface in the city. Crystal methamphetamine has been ravaging U.S cities in a way no other illegal drug has. The manufacture of the substance is simple and its components are as available as household cleaners. City police invited three experts from Spokane, Washington to assist with the presentation. Detective Sergeant Keith Cummings has three years experience on the Spokane city drug unit. He advised crystal meth affects more than its users. "Clandestine meth labs influence a community's way of life." He explained that over and above meth being a "horrible drug," its manufacturing process is very dangerous. The substances involved are both toxic and explosive. This fact makes local clandestine labs very dangerous to have in a residential area, especially in apartments. "It is not a matter of if crystal meth (will impact the community), but when." Spokane crime lab chemist Matt Jorgenson acts in an advisory role for the police. He says ingredients for the making of crystal meth are easily available for purchase in the city. In the U.S. these same products are not readily available. As an example, Jorgenson went shopping in the city. Within a very short time he acquired everything he would need to start a lab capable of producing 40 "hits" and fit it all into a gym bag. Mexican nationals are responsible for about 85 per cent of the crystal meth in the U.S. In Canada the drug is primarily distributed by the Hells Angels' outlaw motorcycle gang. Crystal meth makes addicts out of one-time users. Police chief Norm Boucher noted crystal meth has been found in almost every other street drug, including ecstasy. This is the method being used to hook other drug users to crystal meth. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake