FHA MOUNTS RESPONSE TO METH

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.

"Parents and the public are most concerned about it because it's so
potentially dangerous - unlike marijuana and alcohol," said Dickson.

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: funding prevention workers based in
schools across the region; new $2-million campaign to provide youth
outreach workers and residential addictions treatment; 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.

The facility, to open in February, 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."