UNCOVERING CRYSTAL METH

In Brief: While crystal meth addiction calls for special services, they must
not come at the cost of other addictions treatments.

A couple of months ago, after publishing many stories about crystal
meth, it became clear to editors at this newspaper that some basic
information about the extent of the problem was missing.

Thus arose the idea for a project that would look at the facts of
crystal meth, using the resources of four daily newspapers and two
Global television outlets in the province. What emerged was a series
of articles on various aspects of crystal meth, or methamphetamine,
that began Monday and will end Saturday.

Crystal meth is not the most widely abused substance in the province
- -- experts peg first alcohol, then cocaine. But there are areas or
pockets within the province where meth is a very serious problem. At
present, the most seriously hit areas are cities and smaller
communities in the northern half of the province. Saskatoon is
regarded as the meth hub in Saskatchewan, largely because of its links
with Edmonton, the meth capital of the Prairies.

Methamphetamine use seems to go in cycles. It was popular in early
1970s and 1980s, then went out of favour, but about five years ago it
began to surge in popularity. The scariest things about meth are the
speed and ferocity with which users become addicted, the debilitating
affects of its use, the difficulty in kicking the habit and the ease
with which it can be manufactured.

Meth can be made with ingredients easily obtained in a drug store and
is a stimulant that produces a more intense and longer-lasting high
than cocaine, which makes it much more addictive. Extended use can
cause severe damage to the brain, cardiovascular and central nervous
system.

To their credit, the politicians in this province, both government and
opposition, have been at the forefront in sounding the dangers of the
drug. A "one of a kind" meeting of western ministers and government
officials on crystal meth was held in Regina last week at the
prompting of Premier Lorne Calvert.

There is general agreement among experts that crystal meth use in the
province is growing. And while the addictive qualities of crystal meth
call for special services, governments must not cut back elsewhere on
addictions treatment. Crystal meth is still only one part of the
addictions challenge.