Pubdate: Wed, 04 Jul 2007
Source: Canmore Leader (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 Canmore Leader
Contact:  http://www.canmoreleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3321
Author: Larissa Barlow
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

DRUGS SPIKED WITH METH IN BOW VALLEY

Drug dealers out to boost profits are lacing cocaine and ecstasy 
tablets with methamphetamine to stretch their supplies and hook 
unsuspecting people.

After receiving a tip illegal drugs were being spiked  with highly 
addictive meth and then sold in Banff, the  RCMP began to diligently 
test any drugs seized in town  and discovered several batched had been laced.

"Unscrupulous drug dealers do it to save money," said  Cpl. Mike 
Stourac, who said meth is 10 per cent the  cost of the other drugs. 
"There's also another drug  dealer faction using it to hook 
unsuspecting people on  meth."

Police suspect the tainted drugs were both made in  Banff and 
imported into town already laced with meth  from other areas.

While the RCMP has not discovered any meth labs in  Banff, Stourac 
suspects there probably are ones that  have yet to be busted.

Compared to cocaine, meth gives the user a longer, more  intense 
high. It can keep the user awake for days and  gives them lots of 
energy but when the effects wear off  the withdrawal symptoms are 
intense, leading to  addiction as the need for a renewed high increases.

"It's really probably the most dangerous drug in the  world right 
now," Stourac said. "It's literally  fighting chemical warfare."

Spencer Schneider, area supervisor for The Alberta  Alcohol and Drug 
Abuse Commission, said using any  amount of meth poses the risk of 
addiction and  prolonged use risks brain damage.

"It's quite an addictive drug. I don't think there's a  magic number 
of hits that make you addicted," he said.  "There's risk factors 
present automatically (with drug  use) but the risk factors are 
ramped up dramatically  when there's something in there that you're 
not aware of."

Police are urging people to be cautious after the meth  discovery but 
are concerned few will heed the warning  despite the added risk involved.

Methamphetamine is known by various streets names such  as speed, 
crystal meth and chalk. According to Health  Canada, snorting or 
swallowing the drug produces a  euphoria that can last four to 12 
hours or more.

An overdose can results in hypothermia, convulsions and death.

Banff RCMP has executed 27 drug related search warrants  this year 
and over the last two months has had three  separate drug seizures.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom