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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom