News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: Meth Use Affects Summerland |
| Title: | CN BC: Meth Use Affects Summerland |
| Published On: | 2006-11-09 |
| Source: | Summerland Review (CN BC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-12 22:22:28 |
METH USE AFFECTS SUMMERLAND
Toxic and Addictive Drug Exists Within the Community
The ingredients are common place and seem innocuous, but crystal
methamphetamine can destroy users and their families.
Sgt. Rick Bigland of the Summerland RCMP detachment, says police have
seized the drug but have not taken down production labs at this time.
"It's not as popular as marijuana and cocaine, but it does exist
here," he says.
The drug seizures have been small so far and there have been no meth
seizures in 2006.
Jody Meyer, a youth and family counsellor with Pathways Addictions
Resource Centre in Penticton, says there are meth users here.
"In a community like Summerland, there are some people who are doing
meth," he says.
"It impacts small communities."
The drug is highly toxic and extremely addictive. It is a synthetic
drug which can be made from easily acquired substances.
"Once this drug gets ahold of you, you're not done with it until it's
done with you," Meyer says. "It can take you on a ride that you can't
get off of."
Some who have been addicted to the drug say "it takes away your happy."
The drug can be snorted, injected or smoked.
It can keep users awake and feeling euphoric for two to 16 hours.
Smoking the drug results in body temperature rises and rapid cardiac
and respiratory rates as the blood pressure increases.
Other side effects include hallucinations, paranoia and bizarre,
aggressive and psychotic behaviour.
Overuse can result in paranoia, short-term memory loss, rages and
mood swings and damage to the immune system.
Overdosing can lead to severe convulsions, followed by respiratory
collapse, coma and death.
Because of the mix of chemicals, the method of use and the lifestyle,
it can do damage to the mouth with teeth rotting to the gum line as a
result of the vapours.
Meyer says meth use and addiction can have far-reaching effects.
The users are the most severely affected, even if they are able to
break their addiction to crystal meth.
"It can have a significant impact on the brain that may or may not
repair itself," Meyer says.
"The effects on the body and the mind are so extreme."
In some cases, users are addicted after just one experience with the drug.
In addition, families of users are also affected by the drug and its
after-effects.
Those who try to manufacture crystal meth are working with volatile
substances, says Meyer.
"If someone makes a mistake in the lab while cooking it, the lab will
blow up," he adds.
Bigland is also concerned with the risks involved in manufacturing
crystal meth.
Meyer believes education is the key to preventing meth use.
He says Pathways and others have been working to teach people about
the effects and risks of using the drug.
According to some recent provincial studies, approximately five per
cent of B.C. students in Grades 7 to 12, or around 17,000 young
people, may have used the drug. Around 86 per cent of students
surveyed have never used any of the so-called "party drugs," including meth.
"That's a staggering number," says Shirley Bond, provincial minister
of education. "And crystal meth use is much higher among some groups
of at-risk youths."
Those at risk include youths who inject drugs, street youths and
youths in custody.
Most first-time meth use occurs in Grades 9 and 10.
To combat meth use, the government announced a $3 million classroom
and public education campaign earlier this month, aimed at youth,
parents and teachers.
The classroom lessons will begin in Grade 6 and the resources will
continue through Grade 12.
In addition, the province has developed a website at www.no2meth.ca
with information, tools and resources on crystal methamphetamine and
its effects.
Avoiding addiction
Several suggestions have been offered to help parents keep children
and teens from using crystal methampehtamine and other drugs.
- - Talk with your child regularly about the teen experience, including
substance use.
- - Help your child develop ways to turn down offers of substances
without feeling ashamed.
- - Encourage your child to take up activities that conflict with substance use.
- - Make sure your child knows the dangers of driving under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
- - Monitor your own substance use patterns.
- - Teach your child some ways to stay in control.
Source: www.no2meth.ca
Toxic and Addictive Drug Exists Within the Community
The ingredients are common place and seem innocuous, but crystal
methamphetamine can destroy users and their families.
Sgt. Rick Bigland of the Summerland RCMP detachment, says police have
seized the drug but have not taken down production labs at this time.
"It's not as popular as marijuana and cocaine, but it does exist
here," he says.
The drug seizures have been small so far and there have been no meth
seizures in 2006.
Jody Meyer, a youth and family counsellor with Pathways Addictions
Resource Centre in Penticton, says there are meth users here.
"In a community like Summerland, there are some people who are doing
meth," he says.
"It impacts small communities."
The drug is highly toxic and extremely addictive. It is a synthetic
drug which can be made from easily acquired substances.
"Once this drug gets ahold of you, you're not done with it until it's
done with you," Meyer says. "It can take you on a ride that you can't
get off of."
Some who have been addicted to the drug say "it takes away your happy."
The drug can be snorted, injected or smoked.
It can keep users awake and feeling euphoric for two to 16 hours.
Smoking the drug results in body temperature rises and rapid cardiac
and respiratory rates as the blood pressure increases.
Other side effects include hallucinations, paranoia and bizarre,
aggressive and psychotic behaviour.
Overuse can result in paranoia, short-term memory loss, rages and
mood swings and damage to the immune system.
Overdosing can lead to severe convulsions, followed by respiratory
collapse, coma and death.
Because of the mix of chemicals, the method of use and the lifestyle,
it can do damage to the mouth with teeth rotting to the gum line as a
result of the vapours.
Meyer says meth use and addiction can have far-reaching effects.
The users are the most severely affected, even if they are able to
break their addiction to crystal meth.
"It can have a significant impact on the brain that may or may not
repair itself," Meyer says.
"The effects on the body and the mind are so extreme."
In some cases, users are addicted after just one experience with the drug.
In addition, families of users are also affected by the drug and its
after-effects.
Those who try to manufacture crystal meth are working with volatile
substances, says Meyer.
"If someone makes a mistake in the lab while cooking it, the lab will
blow up," he adds.
Bigland is also concerned with the risks involved in manufacturing
crystal meth.
Meyer believes education is the key to preventing meth use.
He says Pathways and others have been working to teach people about
the effects and risks of using the drug.
According to some recent provincial studies, approximately five per
cent of B.C. students in Grades 7 to 12, or around 17,000 young
people, may have used the drug. Around 86 per cent of students
surveyed have never used any of the so-called "party drugs," including meth.
"That's a staggering number," says Shirley Bond, provincial minister
of education. "And crystal meth use is much higher among some groups
of at-risk youths."
Those at risk include youths who inject drugs, street youths and
youths in custody.
Most first-time meth use occurs in Grades 9 and 10.
To combat meth use, the government announced a $3 million classroom
and public education campaign earlier this month, aimed at youth,
parents and teachers.
The classroom lessons will begin in Grade 6 and the resources will
continue through Grade 12.
In addition, the province has developed a website at www.no2meth.ca
with information, tools and resources on crystal methamphetamine and
its effects.
Avoiding addiction
Several suggestions have been offered to help parents keep children
and teens from using crystal methampehtamine and other drugs.
- - Talk with your child regularly about the teen experience, including
substance use.
- - Help your child develop ways to turn down offers of substances
without feeling ashamed.
- - Encourage your child to take up activities that conflict with substance use.
- - Make sure your child knows the dangers of driving under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
- - Monitor your own substance use patterns.
- - Teach your child some ways to stay in control.
Source: www.no2meth.ca
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