OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR CHILD COULD KEEP THEM FROM USING
DRUGS

Discovering your child is addicted to Crystal Methamphetamine
(crystal meth) can be a terrifying reality. Kathy Collins is the
Golden Crystal Meth Task Force co-ordinator and she says there are
many clues to indicate your child may have an addiction.

"I think the biggest thing is a sudden change in their behaviour and
appearance," Collins says. "They could be withdrawn, they could have
lost a lot of weight very quickly."

Fortunately, the problem of crystal meth is not too bad in Golden -
yet. Collins says crack and cocaine are still considered to be the
drugs of choice. With the younger community, she says marijuana and
ecstasy are the drugs of choice.

However, she says it is important to stay on top of things, adding it
doesn't take long for crystal meth to go from being something a
community talks about, to becoming a full-blown problem.

Since crystal meth is so cheap, it is often used as filler with other
drugs. Collins says users can spend $5 or $10 on a 'hit' and stay
high for a whole weekend. During the 'high', appetite is lost and a
need for sleep is lost.

"(If they are using crystal meth) they will be awake for long periods
of time and then they will need to sleep for a long time and can get
quite ill when they come down," she explains. "I have also heard they
will have a huge craving for orange juice. Their grades at school and
friends could change, they may suddenly have older friends - that's
one thing I hear a lot."

Users may begin to display obsessive behaviours, change in aggression
and even picking at their flesh.

She says those in Golden who are using the drug seem to be in their
mid-to late-20s. But it's not uncommon to see younger females
associated with significantly older males, particularly at parties.
She says this kind of relationship typically indicates there may be
drugs involved.

"Apparently these changes are pretty obvious and it is usually pretty
sudden," Collins says. "Their faces look sunken and their eyes
hollow. The weight loss doesn't look like a healthy weight loss."

Crystal meth is relatively easy to make, according to Collins. She
says all the ingredients - which include acetone, lye, drain cleaner,
sulphate and several over the counter drugs, among other.

"There is not one natural ingredient," she explains. "It's all stuff
you could buy at a hardware or grocery store, which is what makes it
even more scary, because it is quick and easy to make. I read
somewhere it can be as quick as making a batch of cookies."

If you are a parent of caregiver who suspects your child may be
involved with crystal meth, or any kind of drug, Collins has a few
recommendations.

Initially, the internet can provide a great deal of information about
the drug. But you could also visit the Golden Family Center, public
health, speak with your family doctor or call Collins at 344-5413.

"The biggest thing for parents is to first of all become informed -
know as much as you can about using drugs," she says. "Using pot can
escalate so you need to do your research. Know something about some
of the drugs out there so you'll know some of the effects the drugs
are having on them."

It's important to remain calm. Collins says if parents lose patience
and begin nagging or lecturing the child, they will be less inclined
to discuss the problem. It's important for the child to know they can
safely speak with their parents about the problem.

Watching for triggers - in conversation, in movies, on television -
that could open an opportunity for discussion about drugs is also a good idea.

"And know before you have these kinds of discussions what your
expectations are," Collins explains. "Know what the consequences are
for their actions before sitting down to talk about this. Ideally,
the best thing to do is talk to your kids about this before it
becomes a problem. Once the teenage years hit, so does peer pressure,
which is a big thing I am hearing a lot from the kids."

It seems women are more likely to become addicted or users of the
drug, for it's weight loss effects. Collins says users also
experience higher than normal energy levels when on crystal meth.

If you are looking for more information about crystal meth, there are
some websites to consider:

www.methwatch.ca

www.no2meth.ca

www.crystalmethbc.ca

www.heretohelp.bc.ca

www.theantidrug.com

www.justthinktwice.com

www.notevenonce.com

How can I tell if my kid is using Crystal Meth?

Parents and family members should be aware of signs and symptoms of
potential indicators of drug use by their child. Some of these include:

- - changes in your child's appearance (notice bloodshot eyes, careless
dress, etc.)

- - changes in health (weight, sleeping and eating habits, restlessness
and apathy)

- - changes in school performance

how your child is spending money

- - changes in friends, suspicious phone calls, older friends

- - changes in how your child relates to you (mood swings, avoidance)

Provided by www.crystalmethbc.ca