A METH-AMPHETAMINE MYSTERY

Crystal meth is not an epidemic in this valley. Why?

What is it about Valemount and McBride that have prevented this
particular drug from becoming widespread here? We know the meth has
ravaged other communities along the Yellowhead and we know there are
plenty of drugs flowing along that highway. What has gone right?

Are the drug dealers here different than those in the city or other
bigger towns? Are they kind-hearted misled types who worry about the
implications of peddling meth to their crack addicted customers? Likely not.

Perhaps the reason meth has not turned up is because of the police
force's proactive raids on suspected meth labs? I encourage their
work, but I doubt they have single-handedly prevented the drug from
coming here.

The reason meth is not here is because there isn't a business case for it.

Meth is cheap. The margins made on meth are for the desperate and the
addicted. Valemount drug dealers do far too well with coke and crack.
Why stoop to a cheaper drug when there is a great market for the
traditional toxic mind altering drugs?

How do we keep meth out of Valemount? By making sure there is no
business case for it.

By providing social services for those people who are addicted to
drugs and their children. We make sure there is no business case by
caring for each other, by being a community and making sure people
don't fall through the cracks.

The province wants to immunize people through education, a worthy and
noble goal and approach, but when people no longer care about
themselves, their friends or family, education isn't going to keep
them from self-destruction.

We've got a foot up on crystal meth out here. Let's study it. Let's
really look at it and ask ourselves why we fare better than other
communities, we could well be in a position to help others.