METH PRESENCE GROWING

As a regular part of her job, Chaney visits classrooms to discuss
substance abuse and the prevalence of drugs within the community.

"Anytime I asked about meth, nobody raise their hands in response to
seeing it," explained Chaney of when she started two years ago. "Last
year one kid knew someone who had done meth."

When she asked the same question in the fall, a few kids raised their
hands, and just prior to Christmas break it became evident that more
kids knew of people who had tried the drug, and more disturbing to
Chaney was that the attitude toward the drug had shifted from one of
disgust to one of indifference.

"Something has happened where it's come in really quickly," said
Chaney, who recently spoke with a class where 15 kids said they knew
of adults who had used meth.

"That set off the first alarm bells."

Methamphetamine, or crystal meth, is a stimulant that affects the
neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, which evoke
feelings of euphoria when taken. Meth in street form usually contains
an over-the-counter stimulant, like pseudo ephedrine, and is then cut
with toxic substances like drain cleaner, paint thinner and
anti-freeze.

Chaney's concerns stem from the fact that meth appears to be in use
within the community, and that it won't take long before youth are
using it. Across the province, meth has been moving from larger urban
centres into rural communities. The town of Barriere has been battling
a surge in meth use and labs after the drug filtered in from Kamloops,
the nearest city. After beginning to research the far reaching effects
of meth use, Chaney believes prevention and community awareness is the
best way to combat meth use in youth and the population as a whole.

"No one wants this in their community," added Chaney.

Taking a hit of meth produces similar physiological effects to
cocaine, but highs last substantially longer, up to 12 hours. It
causes a release of dopamine, which produces a euphoric feeling.

First time users are unable to recreate the feelings of their first
high, leaving users in a state of 'chasing the dragon'.

Short term effects of meth include dry mouth, sleeplessness, and
increased heart and breathing rates. With long-term use, users can
experience weight loss, tooth decay, high blood pressure, and skin
lesions caused my excessive picking. Rates of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C
are high among users that inject the drug.

Meth is highly addictive and the only known treatment is behavioural
therapy. Long-time users may experience withdrawal symptoms for over a
year after the cease taking the drug.

Chaney is submitting meth information packages into the upcoming
report cards. She said that she's had the material, produced by the
provincial government, for some time, but didn't feel the urgency to
distribute it to parents until recently. She encourages parents to
review the material and open a dialogue with their kids about drugs
and drug use.

"The sooner you start talking to your kids about drugs, the better
chance they have to say no."