IS METH A MYTH? THIS WRITER SAYS YES

To the Editor,

Over the years I have received, provided, and developed
programs/services regarding adolescent substance-use. Like many, my
invested interests have motivated me to attend countless forums with
the hope that there would be answers to these issues, yet the same
themes prevail: "We have a problem, we have a problem, and we have a problem"!

Lately, there has been plenty of hype about crystal meth: task-forces
have been formed, funds have been provided to communities, car
thieves have become icons. The News Bulletin even published a special
four-page section on the topic.

Certainly, I understand the effects of this drug, but it is not an
epidemic like we've been led to believe.

Crystal meth is one of the least-used substances amongst youth and
other drug users. Furthermore, alcohol use has been plaguing this
country for years, yet we hear little about those statistics.

I urge readers to research it themselves or to look at some of the
studies that have already been done.

Overall, the problem isn't about the drug use or what drug is most
popular; it's about why these youth are using and what we can do to
either prevent it or intervene.

Certainly, forums have the advantage of providing awareness, but when
our "professionals" are jumping on a bandwagon and misinforming us,
they are literally doing the community a disservice.

The solution appears to be six beds and information about meth. I am
asking how effective will this be, and what is it going to cost us --
not only in dollars but also in lives?

Joshua Dahling,

via e-mail