LITTLE HELP FOR METH ADDICTS

Too few treatment options available

Friends, family and advocates of crystal meth addicts begged for more
treatment beds at an emotional forum last night.

"We give out needles, we give out mouthpieces, but we have no exit
strategy," said Jim Leydon, a Downtown Eastside outreach worker.

"We give harm reduction until they die and we have no treatment."

Leydon was one of 700 people who turned out for the last of The Province's
four forums on the scourge of crystal meth.

Crystal meth is becoming more popular, is getting cheaper and is killing
more people every year.

Another attendee, Mike, told the crowd three of his children are addicted to
meth and spend all their time on Hastings Street.

Mike, who did not want to give his last name, was applauded when he called
for forced treatment.

"They are screaming for help," he said, before exiting quickly to weep
outside.

A woman -- who did not want to be named for fear of identifying her
16-year-old meth-addicted daughter -- said she had no luck getting support
for her child until she threatened a B.C. government ministry that she would
go to the media.

Her daughter, who was a student at Kitsilano High when she became addicted,
is now living in a drug transition house as an alternative to jail.

Det.-Const. Ian Thurber of the Vancouver drug squad told the crowd there is
no on-demand detox or treatment services available in Vancouver.

Thurber said the price of crystal meth has halved in the past two year while
its use has doubled.

Dr. Bill MacEwan, a clinical psychologist who told the forum about
meth-induced psychosis, said there are some rare situations where a person
can be forced into treatment if they become a danger to others.

In recent years, the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority has shifted its
focus from treatment to harm reduction. Harm reduction includes things like
the Downtown Eastside needle exchange, a Lifeskills Centre and housing that
permits active drug use.