Pubdate: Wed, 16 May 2007 Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Surrey Leader Contact: http://www.surreyleader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236 Author: Kevin Diakiw Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) CHOKING OFF METH SUPPLIES The city is increasing its call to arms against a drug that's ravaging Surrey youth and fuelling crime in this city. Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis says he's "raising the bar" on an initiative to choke off crystal methamphetamine (meth) at its source - -- the household items bought to make the drug. Garis delivered a report to council Monday reminding elected officials of the alarming trend regarding meth, a relatively cheap and highly addictive drug. It can be easily made and is sold for about $5 a dose on the street. A 2005 study of Surrey schools indicated 1,260 (nine per cent) of the 14,000 high school students surveyed had used meth, with 980 youth saying they used it on school grounds. Three per cent of Grade 8 students and four per cent of Grade 9s said they used the drug more than once a week. The physical effect of the drug is devastating and its links to crime are proven. Police estimate at least 70 per cent of auto thieves are chronic meth users. The Surrey Fire Service and RCMP will be attacking the problem on several fronts -- including asking retailers to refuse to sell large quantities of the substances used to make crystal meth, including cold and allergy remedies, drain cleaner and camp stove fuel. Through regular inspections, fire crews will identify locations where meth may be manufactured. Landlords will be notified of the appropriate precautions to take in order to prevent that from happening. Other city departments will distribute information brochures to the public, while garbage crews will be schooled in how to spot potential meth labs. In the past two years, the State of Washington has cut the number of meth labs in half by using similar methods. While Washington created laws requiring participation on the part of private business, Garis is hoping retailers will voluntarily support the program. "If we can get them participating, we're bound to have some effects," Garis said Monday. "The objective is to make it so compelling, that they can't not belong to it." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman