METH NIGHT ATTRACTS BROAD COMMUNITY SPECTRUM

What was initially planned as a brainstorming session for crystal meth
prevention on Salt Spring turned into an emotionally charged
standing-room-only plea to curtail the drug's impact on Gulf Islands
youth.

"This drug will take over your life and will make you sacrifice
everything you have," said participant Ken McLaren, a former meth user
who candidly recounted the drug's toll on both himself and his
acquaintances in Victoria. "Crystal meth becomes your entire life and
you cannot think of anything else."

Roughly 30 parents, youth and community outreach workers crammed into
the Core Inn Youth Centre for a Salt Spring Island Community Services
(SSICS)-sponsored crystal meth awareness night last Thursday. Similar
events held this summer will hopefully get input from island youth on
how to proceed with a drug forum scheduled for September, made
possible thanks to $3,000 in provincial government funding announced
earlier this year.

"We need to provide things that are better alternatives to this drug,
things that will prevent people like me from getting backed into a
corner," said McLaren.

The two-and-a-half hour event offered audience members an account of
the drug's history, from its 19th-century origins to present-day
impacts, a video presentation depicting addicts' experiences on the
streets of Victoria and a lively discussion on how to educate island
youth.

"So far the island has been doing a great job," said Carolyn Flam, an
SSICS youth drug and alcohol counsellor. "Learning remains an
important objective and we need to find out about youth."
Recommendations included sporting events and concert presentations
from outreach workers and former addicts, although some participants
said successfully combatting drug abuse requires parents, teachers,
political leaders and neighbours to rediscover the true meaning of
community.

While crystal meth use has soared in cities and towns across the
province in recent years, Salt Spring's relative isolation has
minimized the drug's impact. According to Flam, that's no reason for
island residents to sit back and do nothing.

Flam said crystal meth use has become prevalent in large part to its
low cost. A single $10 "point" is enough to keep a first-time user
high for up to eight hours. The drug's components are commonly
available at pharmacies and drug stores, making it easier for dealers
to create their own supply.

A partial list of ingredients includes highly toxic substances such as
hydrochloric acid, ammonia and lithium. Users recount feeling alert,
invulnerable and confident, though coming off the drug results in
sleeplessness, wild mood swings and feelings of shame and
hopelessness. Extended use can result in permanent brain damage,
dental decay and even HIV/AIDS if users inject the drug.

According to Corey Paul, a former addict who's been clean for the past
four years, kicking the meth habit is an incredibly difficult
experience and addiction recovery centres and counselling services
have failed to keep pace with the rise in crystal meth use. Salt
Spring Island, however, has a chance to learn from the mistakes of
other communities. "Salt Spring is resilient in the sense that it is
proactive," he said. "A community that can be proactive is a community
that stands a chance against the drug."

Paul said he doubts holding a concert or sports event will be enough
to solve the problem, adding drug use will only get the attention it
deserves when the boundary between users and non-users is taken down.

"There is no 'us and them' because crystal meth takes out everyone,"
he said during an interview following the meeting. "All kids party
eventually, so it's important they get educated."