CRYSTAL METH

The use of crystal meth is fast becoming an epidemic across our
province. Whether you choose to call it by one of its street names -
jib, ice, glass, or tina (to name only a few) the facts remain the
same; it is a drug that uses cheap, volatile and highly toxic, over
the counter ingredients that have resulted in the most potent grade
of this drug being manufactured in clandestine labs. Super labs are
set up in apartments and sheds, barns, basements and hotel rooms,
however this drug can also be made in makeshift labs called 'Mom and
Pop' or 'Beavis and Butthead' labs; these smaller labs fit into
vehicle trunks, picnic coolers and suitcases.

The base ingredients for this horrific drug can be found in common
cold medications - ephedrine or pseudoephedrine which is combined
with such noxious ingredients as ammonia, brake cleaner, lithium
batteries, rat poison, drain cleaner, lantern fuel, antifreeze and alcohol.

Approximately fifteen substances are used in the 'cooking' of meth
and results in dirty white shard crystals being produced.

The method of entry into a persons body varies; it can be smoked,
snorted, injected, swallowed or administered as a suppository, and
depending upon which method the drug is introduced to the body, the
effects can last as long as a day, with the initial rush or high
occurring shortly after use. It's cheap (as little as $5 for a hit),
accessible and plentiful.

Crystal meth stimulates the hypothalamus, which chemically regulates
emotions, and organizes feelings, mood and energy levels by releasing
high levels of dopamine.

Up to fifteen times the amount of dopamine released during normal
pleasurable situations occurs, inciting an unprecedented euphoria
while its intensity permanently rewires the brain chemistry and can
cause irreversible damage.

It affects the central nervous system, causes respiratory problems
and can result in cardiovascular collapse; it is also personality
altering and causes violent, bizarre behaviour that can lead to drug
induced psychosis.

The first hit of crystal meth induces the most powerful rush or high,
which can never be repeated, but the user continues to strive to
regain that initial feeling, and users can become addicted and
dependent very quickly.

Use of this drug allows the person to stay up for days at a time, but
will eventually result in a crash and burn state. This state is just
as intense as the 'high' however it is extremely unpleasurable, so
the person continues on the cycle of using. Meth users will
ultimately suffer from what they call 'crank bugs'. Because the
ingredients of meth are highly toxic to the human body, after the
drug is taken, the chemicals remain; the body's natural reaction is
to try to eliminate them. Users then itch and scratch at themselves,
causing open weeping sores.

These sores are often then used as a site for injecting the same drug.

Crystal Meth knows no social or age boundaries; it is used by young
girls (as early as grade 5 and 6) to pursue their idea of the
'correct body image' displayed by many facets of the media, and as a
stimulant in colleges to 'cram' for exams and write papers.

Middle age women trying to regain their 'figures of youth' are among
the target groups, and are using this drug on a regular basis, as are
our youth.

The health and social costs of this drug on our communities is
devastating and it's our responsibility to educate ourselves about
the consequences of using crystal meth, and disseminating the
information amongst our own community.

A good place to start would be accessing "The Faces of Meth" (just
search for "faces of meth") on the web (be prepared, the visuals are
shocking) and learning more about this issue through: www.no2meth.ca
and www.crystalmethbc.com. There is plenty of information out there;
let's stop the use of this drug - together we can make a difference.