ADDICTIONS WORKERS FIND NO CRYSTAL METH PROBLEM IN NAKUSP --
YET

The ugly scourge that is crystal meth has yet to surface in Nakusp
and area according to local and regional social workers and
addictions counselors.

Let's hope it remains that way, since according to those involved in
seeking to help those who become hooked on the highly addictive and
destructive drug say that there is limited success in treating an
addiction. They focus their efforts on education and prevention
before the drug takes over the users life -- often hooking them for
good on the first or second use.

Randy Thiessen, an addictions counselor with Arrow and Slocan Lakes
Mental Health and Addictions Services says that he hasn't had anyone
present themselves with a crystal meth problem yet, and that cocaine
and marijuana are the most prevalent illegal drugs in the area.

Of primary concern to Thiessen is that dealers could cut cocaine with
crystal meth, or that meth, which can be produced locally, could be
presented as an alternative to cocaine users during a period when
cocaine is not available. Ecstasy is also commonly cut with meth.

Thiessen said that there are a number of services available to treat
the addiction but that the emphasis should be on prevention. Addicts
can detox at the hospital, get mental health and addictions
counseling, and there is a Narcotics Anonymous group active locally.

Thiessen, who deals only with adults, said he was concerned that
there hasn't been a youth addictions counselor in Nakusp since the
previous counselor left the position.

Doug Switzer, administrator at Arrow & Slocan Lakes Community
Services (ASLCS), said that the position had been advertised and that
he was hoping to have the position filled soon. ALSCS administers the
program run by Freedom Quest, a regional youth services organization.
When the position is filled the youth addictions counselor will work
one day per week.

Vanessa Dowell is a case manager and methamphetamine specialist for
Interior Health. She also emphasizes that the key to keeping meth out
of the area is prevention and education. Addictions counselors across
the region report to her, and she concurs that she hasn't seen any
cases from Nakusp yet. She also says that Trail has the highest
occurrence of crystal meth use in the region, particularly amongst
street youth, those involved in prostitution and in the gay
community. "We see it in Trail, Nelson and Castlegar -- [amongst]
more street involved people," she said.

She says that the lack cases presenting themselves in Nakusp and area
is no reason to rest easy, pointing to a provincial study that showed
approximately eight per cent of students in grades 8-12 reported
using the drug in 2005.

No medication is available to help with treatment or withdrawal,
which is concerning considering the deep depression and high rates of
suicide associated with meth withdrawal.

Brain damage is a side effect of usage. "Prolonged use can actually
reconfigure the brain," she said. Addiction can lead to long-term
psychosis. Dowell says that questions remain about the prospects for
long-term recovery. "Is the person ever going to get back to the way
they used to be?"

She also worries about dealers cutting or substituting crystal meth
for cocaine. "When there is no cocaine available, what are the
dealers giving them?"

Another barrier associated with meth is the stigma attached to its
use. She says that users seek to hide their addiction making it more
difficult to identify and treat.

She advises anyone with a problem to talk with their doctor or a
mental health or addictions counselor. Youth can also seek help from
their school principal, school counselor, or a youth addictions counselor.

Dowell says that anyone who has a friend or acquaintance who uses the
drug to help get them towards treatment. "You need to approach the
person and let them know you care about them," she said. She said the
focus should be on steering them towards treatment.

Those in the grips of addiction may not be aware of what is happening
to them or how the drug is affecting them.

Although there is still much to be learned about treating addiction
to methamphetamine, Dowell says that research has shown that there
are three factors that, when put together, are showing some success
towards treating the addiction. They are: a relationship with a
counselor, disassociating with people with a drug-based lifestyle and
attendance at support groups.

She applauds the efforts of the provincial government to tackle the
problem by providing funding education, prevention and treatment
programs, and emphasizes that prevention is the key. "When the
treatment has a lot of barriers, the most important part is
prevention," she said.