METH WATCH HELPS COMMUNITIES FIGHT DRUG PROBLEM

The Meth Watch program is being implemented in communities around
North America to combat the manufacture of crystal meth.

The Meth Watch program was developed in the United States and aims to
interrupt access to key ingredients -- or precursors -- all of which
are basic household items.

Through this program, retailers place these items in visible
locations and limit the amounts that can be purchased.

Store owners and their staff receive training so they can manage
sales of these items effectively and safely.

The Meth Watch program in Canada is delivered through the Canadian
Association of Chain Drug Stores and the NDMAC (Nonprescription Drug
Manufacturers Association of Canada).

In Canada, many national retail companies have or are in the process
of setting up Meth Watch in their stores.

These include companies such as Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs and
others. If you're concerned about crystal meth in your community and
would like to have the Meth Watch program set up, contact your local
police department, pharmacist and retailers to encourage them to be proactive.

Crystal Meth is a highly addictive lethal drug that can be found just
about everywhere and can be bought cheap. One former meth addict said
"Crystal Meth is as easy to find as weed is."

To prove his point, he named three places within a mile distance from
his rural home.

Meth cooks teach an average of 10 others in a year how to manufacture
it, so there is no lack of knowledge or of willing workers to replace
those who have quit due to death or lock up.

Most Meth labs are called tabletop, which means they are quickly
relocated. They just pack it up and take it to another buddy's house
for a week or two.

This makes it difficult to obtain a search warrant for the legal bust
of meth lab houses and easy for the cookers and dealers to roam free,
able to spread their poison.

Meth use is one of the biggest dilemmas in our society today. Meth
abuse is one reason for worker no-shows or quitting. Low worker
productivity hurts the economic structure. Neglected children often
grow up to become abusers, cookers or wards of the state.

Users die or become a burden to society in countless ways.

In some ways the harm to society is measured not in dollars, but in
the irreparable damage suffered by the innocents, including the lives
lost from nearby meth explosions and environmental hazards caused
from toxic waste.

Crimes are committed by many meth abusers to fund their habit. In
talking to a former meth addict about his past experiences, he tells
it, "or sometimes we would do something really stupid just the for
fun of it. Since it gives you something to do while you're wired. It
was a blast, man. Stayed awake three days running around and goofing
off, then when I finally got tired enough to where I might be able to
pass out and sleep, I would burn some more and be totally wired and
awake for another three days. Back to running around Wal-mart and goofing off."

The actions taken by a wired junkie are chaotic to say the least. In
remembrances by Joe, he tells comic stories of "wild trips" and
week-long highs that will give the listener a belly ache from laughing so hard.

This everyday type of so-called cool exposure makes the drug even
more tempting to a young or an easily influenced person.
Unfortunately, there is a side that isn't so wonderful.

More information about the Meth Watch program is available at www.methwatch.ca