IN THE CLUTCH OF CRYSTAL METH

B.C. has the highest incidence of methamphetamine use in Western Canada

Crystal meth, the dangerous drug of choice for an increasing number of
people, is migrating across Canada from west to east, bringing devastating
health effects to its users and complex challenges to those trying to
prevent its spread.

A new report on the drug's presence in Western Canada will be presented
Friday to a special meeting of provincial ministers and representatives from
U.S. border states.

The report shows that British Columbia has the highest number of
methamphetamine users -- with about 190,000 people using the drug at least
once in the past year -- followed by Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
There is also evidence of increasing hospital admissions and police contacts
with people high on the drug.

But while the report notes the unquestionable need for a comprehensive
strategy to combat crystal meth, the health and law enforcement experts who
contributed to it also say Canada is not in the midst of a meth crisis.

Street kids, party drug users and gay men are increasingly using crystal
meth because it's cheap and the high can last for days, but the report says
the drug is not catching on with other populations.

"Most people, if they're using methamphetamine, they're going to do it once
or twice and then they're going to quit," said Dr. Perry Kendall, B.C.'s
provincial health officer and a contributor to the report.

"We've just replaced the drug of choice with something that is cheaper and
longer-lasting, that's why it's nasty."

The drug, also known as jib or crank, curbs hunger and can keep the user
awake for days. Long-term use can lead to psychosis, paranoia and
depression.

A 2004 study showed that 5.1 per cent of B.C.'s population had used the drug
at least once during the previous year. In Alberta, four per cent of the
population -- or 108,000 people -- had used it; in Manitoba, three per cent
of the population -- or 33,400 people -- had used it; and in Saskatchewan,
2.8 per cent of the population -- or 27,700 people -- had used it.

While street kids and club-goers make up the largest group of users, the
report says the drug also appeals to students, athletes, waiters,
long-distance drivers and software programmers.

In B.C., the number of deaths related to crystal meth has been steadily
rising since 2000, when there were just two recorded by the coroner's
service. In 2003, there were 12 meth-related deaths.

The report is based on information gathered last November during a three-day
summit in Vancouver, where 250 delegates shared their expertise and
knowledge in an effort to put together a realistic assessment of the crystal
meth situation in the western provinces and northern territories.

Dr. Doug McGhee, from Victoria's youth and sexually transmitted disease
clinics, told the summit there is clear evidence the problem is growing in
the capital region.

"Among people admitted to emergency for psychosis in Victoria and Vancouver
Island, it used to be predominantly people suffering from bipolar disorder
and schizophrenia. Now it's 50 per cent crystal meth users," McGhee told the
group.