CRYSTAL METH III

Throughout our series on Crystal Meth, we have explored the many
facets of the drug's impact upon our communities and the physical and
social consequences of using this substance; we have heard from
family members and active users and have gained a better
understanding of what is quickly becoming an epidemic across our province.

The one common thread throughout though, is the necessity for honest
communication with our kids, especially when we take into account two
of the possible precursors for use: the isolation of living on a Gulf
Island and alternately the proximity to a larger centre where the
availability of this drug increases. Constable Jennifer Prunty of the
Gabriola RCMP Detachment affirmed, "What concerns me is that when our
children are bussed off the island to attend school in Nanaimo, they
are then in a city where this drug is readily available. I especially
worry about the Grade Eight students, who won't have the tools to
deal with some of the pressures, this, accompanied by limited
supervision." In Duncan, with a population only slightly larger than
Gabriola, a forum on crystal meth was held with over 500 people in
attendance including Constable Prunty who indicated that "should
there be enough interest in a forum here, we would be happy to help
facilitate that."

Continuing to talk about the issue of crystal meth is the best weapon
we have in educating ourselves, and our youth about the awful
implications associated with its use. In a follow-up conversation
with the mother whom I interviewed for the second article in the
series, she too averred, "I really had no idea how close to the
surface my feelings are and how difficult it was to talk about this,
and its effect upon our daughter and our family, but if it helps even
one mother or family member I'm happy to have done it." Over and over
again, when discussing this with various community members the
phrase, 'keep the doors open for communication' was forefront. By
talking about it and acknowledging the problem within all of BC's
communities, it allows people to make positive changes and seek the
help that will enable them to move forward and lead full productive lives.

In Nanaimo, drug and alcohol services can be accessed through the
information referral service at 1-800-663-1441 as well as through
Adult Addiction Services located on Barons Road. They can provide
information, education, support and treatment for people affected by
or at risk of developing alcohol and other drug-related difficulties.
The Adapt Program (Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention & Treatment)
located on Cavan Street provides counselling, a prevention program
and youth detox support program for youth ages 12 - 19, and families
experiencing difficulties due to alcohol or other drug misuse.
Additional services can be accessed through the telephone directory
and through the Vancouver Island Health Authority's website at
www.viha.ca. Resources for this website can be found initially by
clicking on Finding Care on the left hand side of the page and then
selecting the Community Services Directory.

In order to allow our children to grow as healthy individuals, having
access to and disseminating the appropriate information is paramount
to stemming the tide of crystal meth use. Talk it up, it will save lives.

Methamphetamine use is particularly harmful when a person is:

* Masking a mental illness - methamphetamine can hide or worsen a
person's mental illness. Research suggests that people suffering from
mental issues are most likely to have co-existing substance use problems.

* Bingeing - some users take excessive amounts of methamphetamine
over a short or limited period of time, such as an evening or
weekend. Bingeing may also lead a person to make poor decisions
(ignoring important responsibilities, missing school or work,
engaging in high-risk sex, forgetting to eat or sleep).

* Using needles - people who inject methamphetamine are more likely
to become dependent. They are also more likely to contract or spread
blood-borne diseases, such as HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C, through the
sharing of needles.

* Having high-risk sex - people who use methamphetamine are more
likely to take sexual risks, such as not using condoms or engaging in
other high-risk sexual behaviour. As a result, they have higher rates
of sexually transmitted diseases than other groups.

* Long-term heavy use - people who use medium to high doses of
methamphetamine for a long time can develop a lifestyle that includes
failure to take care of personal hygiene or provide the body with
adequate food, water, and sleep. This, combined with the drug's
impact on mental processes, can lead to significant brain and organ
damage. Symptoms of long-term use include:

Schizophrenia-like behaviour including auditory and visual
hallucinations repetitive behaviour patterns (e.g. picking at skin,
or pulling at hair);

Formication (delusions of parasites or insects on skin);

Paranoid delusions leading to sudden aggressive behaviour; and

Psychosis resulting in homicidal or suicidal thoughts.