Pubdate: Thu, 20 Jul 2006 Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 North Island Gazette Contact: http://www.northislandgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783 Author: John Burroughs CRYSTAL METH USE POTENTIALLY EPIDEMIC PORT HARDY-- Preventing crystal meth from becoming an epidemic on the North Island is the reason behind a $10,000 grant. "Crystal meth still isn't a huge problem on the North Island and is a relatively new issue, but it has the potential to create irreversible damage of whomever it touches," says Brian Thurber, newly-appointed director for Restorative Justice in Port Hardy. The real prospect of crystal meth thriving on the North Island is the reason behind a $10,000 grant from the provincial government. It has been allocated to the Restorative Justice Committee which operates in partnership with the Port Hardy RCMP. The committee plans to work with local organizations like His Place and Sacred Wolf Friendship Centre, as well as local pastors and others involved with youth. The money would provide educational training and public awareness campaigns, increased access to drug counselling and addiction specialists, and a drug watch program for businesses who sell ingredients used in the production of crystal meth. Through a drug watch program, businesses are asked to report any suspicious buying of common meth ingredients. Things like cold medicines containing ephedrine, paint thinner, chloroform, epsom salts, drano and lithium from batteries, round out the top of the list on what to look for. Rexall Drugs is already part of the Meth Watch program. The gravity of crystal meth and its possible impact is what Thurber wishes to emphasize. "This is a problem that could very quickly overwhelm an already over taxed police force", said Thurber. "It can spread like a common cold but with the health impact of incurable cancer." Thurber says crystal meth is extremely addictive with a 95 percent addiction rate for first time users. It is also a near impossible addiction to beat as it only has a seven per cent success rate of recovery for those who are hooked. Adverse effects of the drug include extreme paranoia, hyper activity, irritability, disturbed sleep patterns, hallucinations, uncontrollable violence and extreme depression. Long-term health problems include irreversible brain damage, and heart, liver, kidney and lung damage. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman