METH MESSAGE CLEAR

The message was crystal clear -- meth kills, and the end won't be
pretty.

Members of Crystal Meth Victoria Society made a presentation to
Parkland secondary students this week to reinforce that message.

The Meth Info Show educates youth on how to recognize crystal
methamphetamine, the effects that it has on the body and the
devastation it wreaks on families. An 18-minute video that pulls no
punches, Death by Jib, was shown to the students. The video was
followed by an open question period with presenters and Crystal Meth
Victoria Society cofounders Mark McLaughlin and Marilyn Erickson.

Erickson called meth "a perfect storm of a drug" indicating it's
highly addictive nature and devastating effects.

"Meth needs meth," McLaughlin, the father of a recovering meth user,
kept repeating to the audience of high school students. He told them
meth doesn't need food, or friends, or family, "meth just needs more
meth."

When Erickson asked the students how many of them had tried meth or
knew someone who was meth involved, only a half-dozen hands went up.

"That's good," said Erickson. "That's unusual. In the Lower Mainland
we usually see 30 to 50 per cent." She told the students that 75 per
cent of street kids have used meth and most street drugs are now laced
with meth.

"Eighty-three per cent of all E [ecstasy] has crystal meth in it
50 per cent of the cocaine out there has crystal meth in it -- it's
three or four times more powerful than crack." Even marijuana is being
'treated' with meth in order to make it more addictive Erickson said.

"It's not a stern, finger-pointing lecture," McLaughlin said after the
students left the theatre. "It gives them information that they're
hungry to receive we would like to urge other schools to step up
as Parkland has [to present the information.]"

"Kids are curious and a certain percentage of kids will try drugs
because they're curious -- this is not the drug to experiment with --
it's a noxious poison," said Erickson, a former crack-cocaine user who
knows the dangers of drug use.

During the presentation, and the video Death by Jib, the students
learned what crystal meth looks like, what it's made of and its deadly
effects on users.

Crystal meth is a white or off-white powder or crystal that can be
snorted, smoked, injected or eaten. When smoked it produces an
odourless smoke.

"It's a very NIMBY thing," said Erickson. "Not in my family, not in my
community, not in my school. In fact it's an easier drug to hide at
first -- parents can't smell it."

Parents who know what to look for though, can begin to see the effects
of chronic meth use.

These include changes in your child's appearance such as bloodshot
eyes, careless dress and hygiene habits; changes in health including
weight loss, sleeping and eating habits, restlessness and apathy;
changes in school performance; how your child is spending money;
changes in friends, suspicious phone calls; changes in how your child
relates to you, including mood swings rages, violent behaviour and
avoidance.

"It's definitely an issue, I don't know if it's a problem [at
Parkland]," said student council member Pat Rundell. "But it needs to
be addressed, [students] go downtown and it's available there --
people need to know the consequences."

The Parkland student council, Interact Club and Global Awareness group
all pitched in to support bringing the Meth Info Show to the school.

"There's not that much documentation or education out there and people
are very naive. It's a shock to most people to find out where it is
and how it can be used. Every school has [a drug issue]. It's a fact
you have to accept, it's an issue wherever you go. Parkland has taken
a huge initiative to hire Heather [Fitton, youth and family
counsellor] to raise awareness. It's great to have a counsellor there
for the students to talk to about these things," Rundell said.

"[Fitton] is a really positive contribution to the school," agreed
Spencer Trerice, a member of Interact. "It's hard to approach parents,
and having a third party makes it a lot easier."

Trerice was impressed with the Meth Info Show as well. "You see what
is in it it opens your eyes up to how you can hurt yourself, hurt
your family and the people that care about you," Trerice said.

The Parkland students also heard from 18-year-old Baylie, a recovering
meth addict who is now on her way to earning a degree as a youth worker.

"It's a good way to connect, I've been there and experienced similar
situations to the people on the movie," the Victoria teen said. "I
like to say I know [sharing my story] will make a difference, I don't
just think it will, I know it." Baylie told the students that recovery
took her two years, and she still struggles with a sexual assault she
suffered while on a meth binge.

"I wish I had something like this when I was younger," Baylie said of
the information presented. "It might have made a difference for me if
I had only known what could happen."

For more information contact Crystal Meth Victoria at
www.crystalmethbc.ca.