Pubdate: Wed, 02 Feb 2005 Source: Weyburn Review (CN SN) Copyright: 2005 Weyburn Review Ltd. Contact: http://www.weyburnreview.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2157 Author: Greg Nikkel, of the Weyburn Review Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) OVER 120 TAKE IN CRYSTAL METH SESSION Pro-Active Action Can Prevent Drug Tragedies Weyburn has the opportunity to take a pro-active stance on the drug crystal methamphetamine, and avoid tragic occurrences such as deaths, a crowd of 120 parents and members of the community heard Monday night. An information meeting on the deadly drug was organized and held by MLA Brenda Bakken at the Comp Cafetorium, and featured Whitewood resident John Watson, whose son Jimmy died of the drug. Watson also did a presentation for about 350 Comp students and the entire student body at St. Michael Junior High on Monday. Another presentation on crystal meth will be made to the balance of Comp students next Monday, along with the Weyburn Junior High. "It's a very, very serious issue," said Bakken, noting a recently-reported death of a Saskatoon girl on Christmas Day due to the drug. "We're hearing more and more about how it's ruining lives and it's having an impact on communities where it's taken hold." Watson explained he was an addictions worker in Broadview at the time of his son's death, and after he buried his son he decided he couldn't work there anymore, but would take on the issue of crystal meth full-time. "My son Jimmy has given me the most drive anyone could give. He meant everything to me. He fell in love at 20 years old with a girl from Vancouver who did drugs. His mother and I begged him to break it off," explained Watson. He said one of the biggest problems with crystal meth is not only its high addictiveness, but the toxic gasses, acids and chemicals used in its making. As shown in a half-hour video about a story of a girl who died after trying it for the first time, the chemicals are so corrosive and toxic police have to don suits with gas masks when entering a house where the drug is manufactured. For his son's part, "he had taken two doses of the drug, and he was fighting for his life. He still had a couple months to go to finish his Grade 12." Some of the chemical poisons used in its manufacture included drain opener, which is highly corrosive to skin. Watson noted if the poisons aren't mixed right, a dose could kill a person in about 10 seconds. "I'm proud of you guys here," he told the audience. "I would give anything to have Jimmy beside me here tonight and watch this information. We only have our children once, and that's the most important job you'll ever have. I'm very proud as a parent and grandparent to go anywhere and speak about this." City Const. Garth Oberkirsch was also on hand for the evening, and said while there haven't been any evidence of labs in the city, its presence has been noted. He recalled dealing recently with one person who had used the drug, and commented, "It's scary even for experienced law enforcement. The person we dealt with was sedate, and within 10 seconds the person was extremely violent." The constable noted that shackles would not hold this person due to the level of violence. Asked about labs, he said there are many labs just over the border in the U.S., and the drug can be so easily smuggled into Canada that local dealers haven't seen the need to set up a lab here yet. "In the 70s we thought the drug problem could be controlled with more policemen and enforcement, but you know what, that didn't work. We controlled maybe two per cent of what was going on. Education and what John and Brenda are doing is what helps solve the problem. Talk to your kids about drugs; be pro-active," said Const. Oberkirsch. Bakken added that another big part of the problem with crystal meth is it is so cheap, and is affecting the price and purity of other drugs; even pure cocaine is hard to find, as dealers are beginning to mix crystal meth in with it. She noted that about 90 per cent of those who try it once become addicted to this drug. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake