Pubdate: Sat, 07 Jan 2006
Source: Delta Optimist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc
Contact:  http://www.delta-optimist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1265
Author: Maureen Gulyas
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

POLICE TAKING PROACTIVE APPROACH BY HOSTING CRYSTAL METH PUBLIC FORUMS

It's not a problem here yet, but that's not to say Delta will never
experience the scourge of crystal methamphetamine.

"We've been quite fortunate here in this community that we're not
seeing it on the streets like they are in other places," said Delta
police drug section supervisor Sgt. Harj Sidhu.

While crystal meth isn't as urgent an issue in Delta as it is in other
Lower Mainland municipalities, the drug section recently arrested a
meth trafficker and last year broke down a methamphetamine production
lab on 104th Street in East Delta.

Knowing the problem could arrive on the community's doorstep, police
say they are taking a proactive approach, reaching out to residents,
students, teachers and business owners by hosting a series of
educational forums on methamphetamines.

While crystal meth has received much attention, drugs like ecstasy,
the primary drug produced in the 104th Street lab, is also part of the
methamphetamine family.

Delta police will hold two community forums: one at South Delta
secondary in Tsawwassen on Thursday, Jan. 12 and the other at North
Delta senior secondary on Wednesday, Jan. 11.

"We don't even really see it in our street checks yet," noted media
liaison officer Const. Kim Sheridan.

She emphasized, however, police would be naive to think the problem of
meth in neighbouring communities won't drift to Delta.

"We're trying to get ahead of it by holding these community forums,"
Sheridan said.

Sheridan said meth is an insidious drug, one that is attractive for
drug addicts and young people because it "is cheap and the high lasts
a long time."

While there has been only one recent meth lab found in Delta, Sidhu is
careful to say that doesn't mean they aren't out there and in
operation.Topics covered at the forum will include an explanation of
the drug and its health effects, drug-related crime, youth education
programs, signs of meth use for parents and teachers, clandestine lab
indicators for the public, precursors used in the production of meth
that business owners should be aware of and treatment resources.

"Youth and their parents, teachers, business owners, Delta and other
area residents are all welcome and encouraged to attend," Sheridan
said.

There will also be displays. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the
presentation runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Speakers will include Dr. Bruce
Campana, an emergency room physician at Vancouver General Hospital,
RCMP forensic toxicologist Wayne Jeffrey, coroner Terry Smith and Sgt.
Darryl Tottenham from the New Westminster police.
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