Pubdate: Tue, 04 Jul 2006 Source: Langley Advance (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. Contact: http://www.langleyadvance.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248 Author: Matthew Claxton Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) DRUGS: FORUM OPENS TALK ON CRYSTAL METH Cheap and Dangerous, Crystal Meth Was Put Under the Microscope at a Community Forum on Wednesday. The toll one drug can take on individuals, families, and a community was discussed Wednesday night at Langley's first public forum on methamphetamines. The forum, held in the presentation theatre at the Langley Township hall, brought together parents, police, health officials, and the business community. "Unfortunately, crystal meth has hit our community and is ruining the lives of people," said Township Councillor Mel Kositsky as he opened the meeting. The drug, a potent stimulant, is cheap, easily available, and can be made in any basement with over-the-counter ingredients. Superintendent Janice Armstrong, head of the Langley RCMP detachment, said the local police want to tackle the source of the drug supply. The Meth Watch program gets retailers to keep track of their supplies of chemicals and medicines that could wind up in crystal meth. Continuing with anti-drug education programs like DARE is also a priority, she said, adding that the RCMP also need to work with existing addicts, getting more rehab, detox, and transitional housing. The community approach was also emphasized by Sgt. Scott Rintoul, provincial coordinator of the RCMP's Drug and Organized Crime Awareness Service. "It truly has to be everyone in the community working together to solve this problem," Rintoul said. He talked about the effects he has seen among addicts and young abusers of meth: "It is an ugly, ugly drug," he said. Everything from dropping out of school to overdose deaths have been caused by crystal meth, said Rintoul. It is also well known for causing addicts to lose their teeth through rapid rotting, a condition called "meth mouth." Meth also comes as a hidden ingredient in other illegal drugs. Up to 70 per cent of the ecstasy seized by police also contained meth, he said. Langley School District's Barry MacDonald talked about helping kids make informed choices. "We can't try to steer kids away by scaring them, but we need to give them accurate information," MacDonald said. Schools are now targeting kids in Grades 5, 7, 8, and 10 with education programs, and is trying to get the DEWY Program funded for existing teenaged drug abusers ["Delays anger council, trustees," Langley Advance, June 23]. The crowd of about 120 people also watched a 32-minute film, "Cold As Ice," presented by Kevin Letourneau, an addictions expert with Peach Arch Community Services. Featuring interviews with Langley RCMP and Langley City Fire Department officials, as well as recovering addicts and medical professionals, it outlines the threats the drug poses. Firefighters have dealt with dangerous chemicals, and cleaning up mess from abandoned or busted meth labs can be costly. The toxic chemical byproducts of the lab are often dumped into ditches or storm drains or flushed into sewers. Guest speaker Kerry Jackson gave a personal account of how she dealt with her own son's methamphetamine addiction: Ryan killed himself in 2002. He was in a deep depression after attempting to go cold turkey from both meth and anti-depressants. The last year of Ryan's life was a roller coaster of addiction, job loss, psychotic episodes, and five hospital admissions in 10 months. After the speakers were done, the audience had some tough questions for a panel that included MP Mark Warawa and MLA Mary Polak. One woman lashed out at B.C. Children and Family Services, saying she never received help for her son when he needed it. Now he is a 28-year-old addict. "I'm just waiting to get a phone call when he's dead," the woman said. When audience members asked why addicts can't be forced into treatment, Harald Urstad, a teacher in the substance abuse program at UCFV, noted that it was tried in Norway, and it didn't work. Separating fiction from facts, and trying to find out what works and what doesn't is a necessity for future treatment, Urstad said. Several panelists said there is a need for treatment on demand. When an addict is finally ready to admit a problem, immediate treatment is needed. Warawa acknowledged that prison is not the best place for addicts: "Generally, people who go to prison do not come out better, they come out worse." While meth was the focus of the evening, panelists didn't forget to mention other substances, from tobacco and alcohol to cocaine, heroin or prescription medications. "I get asked all the time, what's the worst drug out there, and the answer's so simple," said Rintoul. "It's the drug you like most." The next part of the community strategy is to hold forums in every school with a Grade 7 class in Langley, Kositsky said. The Sunrise Rotary club has also bought copies of a meth-education video, Death by Jib, for every school in Langley. [For a backgrounder on methamphetamines, see our website at www.langleyadvance.com]. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake