Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jun 2005 Source: Chilliwack Progress (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 The Chilliwack Progress Contact: http://www.theprogress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/562 Author: Dawn-Marie Tytherleigh Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) HARD DRUGS TAKE THEIR TOLL There is an ever increasing amount of frustration for me each time I read about all the expended energy going into the control of grow ops, which appears to be an intense focus of combat for authorities. When are we going to hear about the tackle against such drugs as gak (methamphetamines) cocaine, crack, heroin etc? It is foolish to believe that these drugs are not as burgeoning like pot because these drugs have been settled in the drug underworld for a long time. These drugs bring in major amounts of money, usually laundered to appear as valid earned and spent dollars. We rarely hear of major busts on the likes of hard chemicals yet almost every single issue of each paper contains a story of a bust or new strategy to get the varmints who grow and sell weed. It is not going to go away and while it makes no sense to many to let the grow-ops continue - there have not been the major effects from this drug as with chemicals - like brain damage and overdoses. Speaking of which, the whole hardcore drug issue has hit me hard lately. Just prior to election time a friend was touring with a group of people to share the drug-induced suicide of her son who I knew at one time. He was 26 and in 2001 he jumped off the Lions Gate Bridge because of the effects of crystal meth. He was in a different world the last time I saw him which was during the last election because I escorted him out of psyche and vouched for him so he could vote for his first time. He landed out here in some field and the reason he was so disorientated was due to the damage he did to his brain as a gak-head. The drug also acted as a trigger for him to suffer from bi-polar syndrome and it is thought that depression from this is what led him to the bridge. His mother has started a web that links parents to understanding more about that drug, parenting and prevention and you can find support at www.2020Parenting.com. Just recently I got the news that someone else is gone because of drugs. It is not my position to disclose details of this matter, but I can tell you that this friend was one of the most non-judgmental and caring people I have ever known. This person was a friend, a parent, a student, a cook, and unfortunately an addict that succumbed to the likes of Slim Pickens shadowing over the life of a community member right in their prime. Are you a slave to drugs? Do you think that you can get away with doing hard core chemicals without doing damage to your brain and other functioning of your body? Do you think you will be one of those who does not lower yourself to crime in order to support your habit? Do you believe that you won't be found stiff in a corner out of your cocky attitude that leads you to believe that you are infallible to the consequences of drug abuse? If you honour your gift of life, may these tragedies remind you that you are not going to go on in life to reach your potential if you continue to live a lie that surely could lead you to death and rest assured - Slim Pickens will be there grimacing at the event. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom