COALITION PROMOTES CRYSTAL METH EDUCATION

The Fort Macleod Crystal Meth Coalition held its second workshop on
Sept. 25, inviting Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission
counsellor Gwen Reimer and a former addict to educate those in
attendance about what some say is the most dangerous drug available today.

Reimer told the close to 40 people at the community hall what crystal
meth is, how it can be used, the negative effects it can have and how
you can help someone who is using crystal meth.

"I'm not here as an expert, but to give you sort of the nuts and
bolts information about crystal meth," Reimer said. "I want to give
some insight about how to help as a parent, a community or a professional."

Reimer was pleased to be in Fort Macleod and see first-hand what the
community is already doing about the drug.

"It's great that you have a community coalition like this that is
prepared to deal with drug and alcohol abuse in the community," she said.

The drug, which acts as a stimulant and replaces dopamine in the
human body, has become very popular over the last few years, mainly
because of the high tolerance and addiction potential.

"Compared with cocaine there is a much faster progression from
initial use to regular use and to the subsequent need for treatment,"
Reimer said.

By affecting the body's pleasure pathways the drug causes profound
effects that keep users coming back, including a sense of power, high
self-esteem an increased level of energy and enhanced performance.

The negative effects far outweigh the positives though.

Hypertension, nausea, paranoia, agitation and sores on the skin are
some of the almost 25 possible effects. Death can occur from these
and other complications.

Recently the drug has been proven to cause brain damage, including
what some have described as holes in the brain.

Most commonly taken by injection or inhalation, crystal meth is also
known as speed, grit, ice and jib, among other names.

Reimer has been told by law enforcement officials that because meth
labs can be mobile and very small it is hard to build cases. Instead,
Reimer suggested trying harder to keep the materials out of the hands
of the makers.

"We need the federal government to put precursor controls on people
buying large quantities of some of the stuff, such as Sudafed."

A person using crystal meth will display dilated pupils, dry mouth,
jerking hand movements, difficulty concentrating and not eating or
sleeping for long periods.

The provincial government recently released a report on crystal meth
that contained 83 recommendations to deal with the drug.

Some of the recommendations are strong support for drug coalitions,
more educational materials and increased treatment and detox beds.

Prevention and community involvement are at the heart of the issue
and Reimer likes what Fort Macleod and the Foothills Centre have done
in those areas.

"You are leaders of the pack by having a crystal meth anonymous group
in the community," she said. "It's great because it is a specific
12-step program for crystal meth."

She said the community can have the biggest impact on prevention.

"The community has the ability to make a difference by giving people
the opportunity to connect and allowing them to make a difference in
the community," Reimer said.

For more information on crystal meth visit www.aadac.com.