CRYSTAL METH DANGER FEARS

POLICE in North Yorkshire are keeping a watchful eye out for any signs
of the highly addictive drug "crystal meth".

The drug could become as big a problem as crack cocaine within the
next four years, according to a new police report.

An investigation carried out by the Association of Chief Police
Officers (Acpo) has predicted the drug has grown in popularity and
could become a problem on the same scale as other Class A drugs like
crack cocaine.

So far the drug has not hit the county but police are monitoring the
drug scene in both North So far the county has not hit the county, but
police are monitoring the drug scene in both North Yorkshire and
neighbouring counties for any signs.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "North Yorkshire and the City
of York has never had any confirmed seizures of crystal meth.

"There have been occasions in the past where it has been suspected,
but when forensic tests were carried out it turned out to be either
crystal ecstasy or amphetamine.

"We are constantly monitoring its availability in the county and in
neighbouring forces.

"We are certainly awake to the fact that it is available in the UK,
but at present it does not appear to be a problem in our policing area."

Use of the drug, which is a form of crystallised methamphetamine, has
reached epidemic levels in parts of America and Australia.

The report compares UK growth and patterns of use to that in each of
these countries.

Chief Constable Tim Hollis, of Humberside Police, who chairs ACPO's
drugs committee, said: "We are in no way complacent but we are very
alert to the dangers and closely monitoring the problem within the
UK.

"Our concern is to focus on what we know now and to work with partners
in order to warn people of the potential dangers of the drug."

Acpo successfully campaigned for crystal meth to be reclassified as a
Class A drug in January 2007.

People who use methamphetamine face up to seven years in jail and an
unlimited fine, while dealers could be jailed for life.

The drug is highly addictive and can cause paranoia, kidney failure
and internal bleeding.