Pubdate: Thu, 07 Apr 2005
Source: Vauxhall Advance, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Vauxhall Advance
Contact:  http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/vadvance/home/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2308
Author: Jennifer Elves
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

COUNCIL TO LEARN ABOUT METH

A lunch and learn on methamphetamine is being held in Taber on Monday, and 
two local town councillors, who volunteer with Vauxhall Emergency Medical 
Services, will act as messengers for Vauxhall.

Coun. Chuck Pozzo, who heads Vauxhall Emergency Medical Services and Coun. 
Lee Green, who volunteers with Vauxhall EMS, are going to the session on meth.

They will share information they gain about the highly-addictive drug, 
which is 10 times more powerful than regular speed, with the local 
emergency crew and town council.

The gathering is being held to teach business owners about the drug and 
make them aware of when to be suspicious of customers buying the products 
used to make methamphetamine.

"We just want to know what we are up against and to see how bad things 
really are," said Green.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it (meth) has been here. When you watch the 
news, you see it all over the place."

At the session, business representatives will receive posters indicating 
what is used to make the drug. They can display the signs where customers 
can see them or in staff areas.

Meth ingredients include cold remedies with ephedrine, chemical solvents 
and apparatus. Some chemicals that can be used are brake cleaners, rubbing 
alcohol and iodine. Cold remedies included are common pills containing 
ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Products such as aluminum foil, funnels and 
coffee filters can be used as apparatus.

Business owners are cautioned to be leery when people buy combinations of 
the ingredients or purchase the products in excess.

After attending the lunch and learn, Green plans to encourage Vauxhall 
Co-op Agro Centre, his place of employment, to put up meth posters. He 
added he would suggest other business do the same.

"I think that is all anyone wants to do -- is get the word out," said Green.

Along with learning about what is required to make meth, Green hopes to 
find out more about signs and symptoms to watch for to know if someone is 
on the drug. He also wants to learn what factors emergency services 
personnel should be aware of. While Vauxhall EMS has not responded to a 
fire caused by meth production, Pozzo has heard of it happening in other 
locations.

He told council that people involved in those types of fires die after 
receiving third-degree burns all over.

"It would be more like an explosion. It would be over by time we got there 
- - I would think," said Green. "I think it is pretty fast and sudden when 
you are dealing that that."

He added after putting the fire out, emergency personnel would only do 
anything else if they were advised to by police.

If police officers encounter a meth lab, they ensure the place is secure, 
remove people from the premises and call in a Calgary hazard unit. 7
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom