PROVINCE SET TO BEGIN WAR AGAINST CRYSTAL METH

Though it may not be the drug of choice among drug users in the
foothills, crystal meth is slowly beginning to seep into the community.

But compared to communities in northern Alberta Okotoks' problem
with crystal meth looks like more of a nuisance than a serious problem.

Regardless, the government of Alberta has unveiled a comprehensive,
ground-breaking strategy to fight the use of the drug in communities
across the province.

The Premier's Task Force on crystal meth came up with a total of 83
recommendations in three predominant themes: prevention, healing and
treatment.

Aside from emphasizing the need for 300 new treatment beds,
community-based drug courts and

better addiction counselling, the report recommends the federal
government amend the Criminal Code to view drug trafficking as a
serious violent offence with no chance of a conditional sentence
order (house arrest).

The report further recommends the federal government amend the Youth
Criminal Justice Act, so youth accused of crystal meth or any drug
offence are not diverted to alternative measures, and, if convicted,
are sentenced to a custody facility where they can receive
addictions and mental health counseling.

For Okotoks RCMP Const. Geoff Carpenter, who is also the coordinator
of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program,
recommendations such as these are definitely a step in the right
direction in the fight against crystal meth.

"I do like the fact that if there is an addiction, instead of
sending them to jail, where they may not get the attention they
need, they actually do go to a drug rehabilitation location," said
Carpenter. "At the moment, the court system leads to a turnstile
system where there is no follow-up with the person. They probably
do want to get off (the drug), but they can't say that. That's just
what the drug does, so it's hard for a person to self-admit themselves."

Since 80 to 90 per cent of crime is related to drug use, Carpenter
feels the most important step of all is prevention.

That's why every year he visits dozens of schools to educate
students about the consequences of drug use, especially since those
in their late teens to early 20s are most likely to try crystal meth.

For the most part, Carpenter feels drug education seems to be paying off.

Crack cocaine is still the drug of choice in the region, leading
Carpenter to believe drug users might be opting to stay away from
crystal meth because of its ugly side-effects.

The drug is a stimulant that is synthetically produced in labs and
made from ingredients bought in local drug and hardware stores, such
as paint thinner, lithium from batteries and ether.

Those who do become addicted to the drug can experience sleep
problems and extreme depression, schizophrenia-like disorder,
including violent or paranoid behaviour, repetitive behaviour
problems and visual or tactile hallucinations.

Soon after using the drug, people can often hallucinate, have
strokes or seizures, and are also prone to impulsive behaviour.
Permanent brain damage is another side affect of the drug.

Recent AADAC statistics for the Calgary region reveal less than one
per cent of its clients are currently seeking help for crystal meth
addictions with crack cocaine remaining the number one problem drug.

Implementing the recommendations will be a costly endeavour.

Health Minister Iris Evans has confirmed that each new bed will cost
approximately $100,000, which would put the price tag on the beds
alone at $30 million.

Still, the province, and Carpenter feel the recommendations aren't a
question of if they should be done, but when.

"I am quite excited about this possible procedure coming into place.
I hope it comes of being," said Carpenter. "It's a very costly
endeavour, but we all know what the price of crime is."