DEALERS LACE STREET DRUGS WITH DEADLY METH

The pills have the word "love" printed on them or they're stamped with
a variety of icons, such as happy faces and hearts.

But cops say there is nothing cheerful or endearing about the latest
designer drug that has hit city streets.

Winnipeg police are warning drug users to be aware that more and more
drugs in the city are being cut with methamphetamine, meaning users
might be ingesting more than they think.

Analysis of a recent drug seizure in the city has shown pills sold
illegally as either ecstasy or caffeine pills contained
methamphetamine, a dangerous and powerful drug made by mixing
ephedrine with common chemicals like paint thinner, swimming pool
cleaner, camping fuel or farm fertilizer.

The small batch seized and analyzed by police consisted of white pills
stamped with a Coca-Cola logo, but Sgt. Kelly Dennison, a spokesman
for Winnipeg police, said it isn't just one batch of pills people need
to look out for.

"It's being sold in Winnipeg at large," he said. "We're starting to
see meth injected into more illegal narcotics of all types.

PUBLIC SAFETY

"This is a public safety issue. People who are buying illegal
narcotics are not getting what they think they're getting. Back in the
day when you bought marijuana, you got marijuana, when you bought
cocaine, you got cocaine. Now when you buy marijuana, half the time
it's laced with meth. This is a newer thing we're seeing."

Dennison said drug producers and dealers use meth in other drugs for
two reasons: One, it's cheap to make because it uses common
ingredients and, two, it has an addictive quality that makes for
repeat business.

"Say you buy five or 10 ecstasy pills from a dealer, but really
there's meth in it. The next time you go to buy you're going to want
the same thing you had last time," he said.

WHAT IT DOES

Methamphetamine facts:

- - Methamphetamine, also known as speed, crank, ice, crystal meth or
chalk, is a white, odourless, crystalline powder that is also a highly
addictive stimulant.

- - It is made mostly in underground drug labs by using common precursor
chemicals, such as drain cleaner and paint thinner, to create a
chemical reaction with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.

- - It can be snorted, swallowed, injected or smoked, producing a
long-lasting high by releasing dopamine into the brain.

- - It can cause users to become violent, paranoid, anxious, delusional
or confused. Complications include increased heart rate, high blood
pressure, weight loss and brain damage.