CRYSTAL-METH USE TARGETED BY PLAN DRAFTED BY B.C. GOVERNMENT

VICTORIA - The B.C. government has created an action plan to prevent
the use and harmful effects of crystal meth, an inexpensive, highly
addictive street drug often made with household toxic chemicals such
as floor stripper.

Susan Brice, the province's minister of state for mental health and
addiction services, said Tuesday the province's six health authorities
will work with six provincial ministries, the police and the justice
system to inform the public of the dangers, identify high-risk
populations, and to reduce the harm caused by the drug.

"The youths who are really involved with this drug are those who are
considered street youth, those who are involved in the rave scene,
some gay males, young people who are looking to use it to curb weight
gain, these types of things," said Brice. But she said the good news
is there hasn't been an increase in the use of the drug among the
general youth population.

Crystal meth is known to cause high anxiety, memory loss and permanent
psychotic symptoms in users. It's often used with other substances,
such as cocaine or crack, heroin or alcohol, increasing the risk of
injury or death related to overdoses, accidents or violence.

Crystal meth can be swallowed, smoked, injected or snorted.