METH JUST PART OF THE ADDITION STORY

Crystal methamphetamine abuse consumes not just the lives of addicts,
but the resources of the health system as well.

Yet despite its high profile, meth is still far from the region's top
drug problem, Fraser Health Authority officials say.

In terms of use, it's fourth behind alcohol, marijuana and cocaine
for adults and third behind booze and pot for youths.

Adolescent use of cheap meth is the big concern -- the typical youth
user starts at age 14 or 15 in this region and many start as young as 12.

"It gives them an invincible euphoric high that makes them feel
immortal," said Lois Dickson, FHA's executive director of mental
health and addictions.

It can also cause psychosis, hallucinations and violent or suicidal behaviour.

The FHA doesn't target meth use specifically, but tackles all
addictions as a package.

That makes sense, Dickson said, because meth users usually abuse a
range of drugs.

FHA efforts to combat meth include:

* Funding prevention workers based in schools across the region.

* A new $2-million campaign to provide youth outreach workers and
residential addictions treatment.

* The creation of 156-page manual that analyzes the meth problem here
and strategies to counter it.

Construction is underway in Surrey on the planned Creekside
Withdrawal Management Centre, which will have 30 beds -- replacing 22
decommissioned in Burnaby. Six of the beds will be dedicated for
youth undergoing withdrawal for substances including meth.

The facility, to open in February beside Surrey Memorial Hospital,
will also include a "daytox" option that will let withdrawing addicts
(initially adults only) spend the day there but go home at night if
they have strong family support.

Creekside joins a new nine-bed withdrawal unit opened last year in
Chilliwack General Hospital and the existing 60-bed Maple Ridge
Treatment Centre.

"The best opportunity is in prevention," Dickson said. "More and more
we're starting in the elementary schools with school-based prevention workers."