Pubdate: Thu, 12 Oct 2006
Source: Orangeville Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Orangeville Citizen
Contact:  http://www.citizen.on.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2529
Author: Lavinia Kerr, Staff Reporter

POLICE INSTRUCT RETAILERS ON METH PURCHASES

Retailers in Shelburne who carry the household items  used to create 
the drug methamphetamine (meth) are  being asked by Shelburne police 
to become proactive and  join a meth-watch program, the first of its 
kind in  Dufferin County.

Under the new program, retail staff are trained to  identify 
suspicious purchases and the tell-tale signs  of methusers and 
contact the police if they see  anything suspicious.

"We aren't asking you to intervene," says Sgt. Anthony  Kilburn. "But 
just be on the lookout and notify the  police."

Products targeted by meth-cookers (those who produce  the drug) are 
common household items such as  over-the-counter cough and cold 
allergy medicine,  acetone, rubbing alcohol, iodine, starter fluid, 
gas  additives, drain cleaner, lithium batteries, rock salt, 
matchbooks, lye, paint thinner, aluminum foil,  glassware, coffee 
filters and propane tanks.

Under the meth-watch program it's not the items that  are suspect, 
it's the quantity of items as well as the  purchaser.

"We want retailers to be on the lookout for things that  appear out 
of place." Constable Mark Bennett said.  "Obviously these are normal 
household items, but we  need to identify suspect patterns."

According to Sgt. Kilburn, meth is highly addictive,  with 96 per 
cent of first-time users and 99 per cent of  second-time users 
becoming addicted, and their  appearance usually gives them away. 
Meth users often  become the cookers because they need a way to 
support  the habit and addicts are easily identified because 
of  their appearance.

According to the program material, methusers are  paranoid, with 
shifty shaky eyes, scabs and sores, from  constant scratching and 
picking the skin (a  drug-induced paranoia), the teeth are badly 
discoloured  and the person can also be sweating 
extremely,  producing foul body odor.

"These people normally look pretty rough, like they  haven't showered 
for days." said Sgt. Kilburn.

Shelburne police became aware of meth in June this  year, when 
evidence of a meth lab was uncovered in  town.

"This drug is a problem and it's dangerous," said Cst.  Bennett. 
"Because of the products used, meth labs blow  up easily and it 
doesn't take much to set one up."

Under the meth watch program, retailers whose staff are  trained on 
the warning signs will display logos on  listed products and take 
additional security by  stocking the desired items in a place that 
can be  monitored.

"Meth-watch provides the tools to reduce the supply of  the items 
needed to cook the drug." said Sgt. Kilburn.
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