FLEXIBLE TREATMENT NEEDED FOR METH ADDICTS: DOCTOR

A Vancouver doctor says forced treatment of crystal meth users may be
beneficial in some cases, but he promoted flexible treatment during a
speech to the Community Action Against Crystal Meth Conference on Tuesday.

Dr. Ian Martin, a physician at a community health centre and a youth
drop-in centre in Vancouver, said he is unsure whether forced
treatment is appropriate.

"I think sometimes people can be forced into treatment. And there's
some evidence that is a benefit, things like drug courts do work,"
Martin said, referring to courts in British Columbia and parts of the
United States where addicts choose between a jail sentence or treatment.

"I think it's up to the individual to some degree to engage in
treatment. Dragging people kicking and screaming into a treatment
centre probably won't work."

Last week, the Saskatchewan government introduced legislation
allowing parents and guardians to ask a judge to grant involuntary
detoxification for youth aged 12 to 17. If approved, the legislation
would allow a judge to determine whether a youth should be assessed
by a physician. If the youth does not enter detoxification
voluntarily after this, they could be involuntarily entered into
treatment for up to five days, with a possible extension to 15 days,
following an assessment from a second physician.

Martin said detox wasn't treatment, though.

"I think detox facilities are an important first step but I think
people probably put an over-emphasis on what they offer," he said.

He said tailoring treatment to suit a specific person is important
because every user is different. In general, though, Martin said
programs should be flexible to accommodate the user, such as drop-in
hours, short wait times and group meetings.

"Unfortunately in addictions, there's not a lot of evidence to give
us strict direction where to go, so as a result you have a variety of
different treatment centres with a variety of different approaches."

In terms of prevention, Martin said he wasn't a fan of the "meth is
death" message. He said acute heroin usage can kill, but acute death
from a methamphetamine injection is actually quite rare.

He admitted crystal meth is very addictive, but said there was no
evidence a single dose causes an addiction. He said heroin and
cigarettes are more addictive than meth.

Still, meth is a dangerous drug that affects both mind and body, he
said. It is different from other drugs because of the prevalence of
mental illness it causes and the drug's availability in rural areas.
It can be prevalent in rural areas because of the ability to conceal
meth labs, he said.

"Where heroin and cocaine may be fairly expensive and difficult to
obtain, methamphetamine can be readily obtained," Martin said.