METH'S ARRIVAL IN MIDLAND NO SURPRISE

Troubling Though It May Be, The Arrival In Midland Of The Illegal
Drug Crystal Methamphetamine Should Not Be Surprising.

Also known as "ice," "crank," "jib," "glass" and numerous other
street names, crystal meth is a powerful stimulant that speeds up the
central nervous system.

Users experience increased wakefulness, a heightened sense of
well-being and a decreased appetite. The Centre for Addiction and
Mental Health describes the feeling as similar to that produced by
cocaine, but with greater staying power.

Made from readily available and relatively inexpensive ingredients -
the Internet is chockablock with websites offering instructions -
crystal meth's effects can last from six hours to as long as 12 hours.

The western provinces have been Ground Zero for crystal meth in
Canada. In British Columbia, it became so prevalent the government
created a crystal meth secretariat to co-ordinate the official
response and help communities battle the problem.

The drug is less common as one travels farther east, but police
across Ontario are no longer shocked when it appears.

And now meth is in Midland.

Police arrested a 62-year-old Wyevale man on Oct. 14 after they broke
up an alleged scheme to distribute nearly 40 grams of crystal meth,
as well as ecstasy and prescription drugs like Oxycontin, Dilaudid,
Ritalin and Viagra.

The drugs seized have a street value of $16,000.

Naive is the word for anyone who believed crystal meth's ugly shadow
would never fall on Midland. But, now that it is here, what can we do?

Awareness is a good first step. That's why the Racing Against Drugs
(RAD) event put on by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, area
police services, and local schools and businesses is such a good idea.

Now in its 12th year locally, the initiative has touched hundreds of
Grade 5 students with its message - sweetened with a dollop of fun
and laughter - of drug avoidance.

Judging by the reaction last week, it's a formula that has a chance
of reaching at least some of the target audience.

That being said, it's undeniable that some of those hundreds of
children will fall prey to the temptation of drugs and/or alcohol.
It's frightening to wonder how many of those sweet-faced youngsters
of today are the meth users of tomorrow.

With the best efforts of police, community groups, teachers and, most
importantly, parents, let's hope it is very few.