Pubdate: Wed, 27 Sep 2006
Source: Okotoks Western Wheel (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006, Okotoks Western Wheel
Contact:  http://www.westernwheel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1638
Author: Pamela Roth, Staff Reporter

PROVINCE SET TO BEGIN WAR AGAINST CRYSTAL METH

Though it may not be the drug of choice among drug  users in the 
foothills, crystal meth is slowly  beginning to seep into the community.

But compared to communities in northern Alberta  Okotoks' problem 
with crystal meth looks like more of a  nuisance than a serious problem.

Regardless, the government of Alberta has unveiled a  comprehensive, 
ground-breaking strategy to fight the  use of the drug in communities 
across the province.

The Premier's Task Force on crystal meth came up with a  total of 83 
recommendations in three predominant  themes: prevention, healing and 
treatment.

Aside from emphasizing the need for 300 new treatment  beds, 
community-based drug courts and

better addiction counselling, the report recommends the  federal 
government amend the Criminal Code to view drug  trafficking as a 
serious violent offence with no chance  of a conditional sentence 
order (house arrest).

The report further recommends the federal government  amend the Youth 
Criminal Justice Act, so youth accused  of crystal meth or any drug 
offence are not diverted to  alternative measures, and, if convicted, 
are sentenced  to a custody facility where they can receive 
addictions and mental health counseling.

For Okotoks RCMP Const. Geoff Carpenter, who is also  the coordinator 
of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education  (DARE) program, 
recommendations such as these are  definitely a step in the right 
direction in the fight  against crystal meth.

"I do like the fact that if there is an addiction,  instead of 
sending them to jail, where they may not get  the attention they 
need, they actually do go to a drug  rehabilitation location," said 
Carpenter. "At the  moment, the court system leads to a turnstile 
system  where there is no follow-up with the person. They  probably 
do want to get off (the drug), but they can't  say that. That's just 
what the drug does, so it's hard  for a person to self-admit themselves."

Since 80 to 90 per cent of crime is related to drug  use, Carpenter 
feels the most important step of all is  prevention.

That's why every year he visits dozens of schools to  educate 
students about the consequences of drug use,  especially since those 
in their late teens to early 20s  are most likely to try crystal meth.

For the most part, Carpenter feels drug education seems  to be paying off.

Crack cocaine is still the drug of choice in the  region, leading 
Carpenter to believe drug users might  be opting to stay away from 
crystal meth because of its  ugly side-effects.

The drug is a stimulant that is synthetically produced  in labs and 
made from ingredients bought in local drug  and hardware stores, such 
as paint thinner, lithium  from batteries and ether.

Those who do become addicted to the drug can experience  sleep 
problems and extreme depression,  schizophrenia-like disorder, 
including violent or  paranoid behaviour, repetitive behaviour 
problems and  visual or tactile hallucinations.

Soon after using the drug, people can often  hallucinate, have 
strokes or seizures, and are also  prone to impulsive behaviour. 
Permanent brain damage is  another side affect of the drug.

Recent AADAC statistics for the Calgary region reveal  less than one 
per cent of its clients are currently  seeking help for crystal meth 
addictions with crack  cocaine remaining the number one problem drug.

Implementing the recommendations will be a costly endeavour.

Health Minister Iris Evans has confirmed that each new  bed will cost 
approximately $100,000, which would put  the price tag on the beds 
alone at $30 million.

Still, the province, and Carpenter feel the  recommendations aren't a 
question of if they should be  done, but when.

"I am quite excited about this possible procedure  coming into place. 
I hope it comes of being," said  Carpenter. "It's a very costly 
endeavour, but we all  know what the price of crime is."
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