METH MONSTER MOVING NORTH

A monster is encroaching on the North Island and people need to be ready.

Crystal methamphetamine, commonly called crystal meth, has just
started to appear, says Port Hardy RCMP Staff Sergeant Chris Stewart.

"We have had one seizure of crystal meth," says Stewart. "We should
be aware that it is the tentacle of the methamphetamine monster
reaching into our communities."

Neil Taylor, Mental Health and Addictions manager for the North
Island, agrees. "It is like talking about a potential car accident," he says.

While not epidemic in B.C., addiction and deaths from crystal meth
have been on the rise in B.C. in recent years and 18 beds at
Vancouver General Hospital have been created to deal with people who
are clinically psychotic from crystal meth use, says Taylor.

Both Taylor and Stewart say education and preparation are the key to
fighting off the toxic and highly addictive monster.

"There is so much panic in other communities, that I want to stress
we need to learn everything we can so we can avoid the panic," says Stewart.

To that end, RCMP, mental health workers, school staff and medical
professionals are receiving training and education about how to
recognize the drug and its use and how to assist those who become addicted.

Stewart says the RCMP, in partnership with Port Hardy Victim Services
and the Sacred Wolf Friendship Centre, are also applying for funding
for an education program for youth.

Part of the danger with crystal meth is that drug users may not even
be aware they are using it, says Stewart.

"When they use crack cocaine, they don't know what they're using. It
could be cut with strychnine, meth or even rat poison," explains Stewart.

Taylor says other addictions also make it hard to judge how prevalent
crystal meth is in the community.

"There are so many other addictions in play that it (crystal meth)
gets masked by it, " adds Taylor. "It can be mixed in ecstasy, crack
or cocaine."

Police believe crystal meth used on the North Island is being brought
from down Island, but that could change because the drug is easy and
cheap to produce in any household kitchen, using common ingredients
from a drug store.

Local pharmacies are prepared for that possibility.

"We are part of the Meth Watch program," says Wendy Stewart, pharmacy
manager for Rexall in Port Hardy. Meth Watch keeps pharmacists and
staff aware of the items meth producers need to purchase. "They would
be looking for pseudoephedrine (a common cold medication). We don't
stock a lot. Enough to cover common cold use."

While many people associate drug use and particularly crystal meth
with teens, Stewart and Taylor agree that young adults, not teens,
are the biggest drug users on the North Island and likely to be the
ones to use crystal meth as well.

Cocaine is the drug of choice for young adults on the North Island,
says Stewart, noting his detachment seized 525 grams of cocaine last
year -- more than all other drug seizures combined.

"We have a lot of young adults who have disposable resources,"
explains Taylor. "Young adults are the heaviest users. Cocaine is
readily available here and it's cheap."

More information on crystal meth, including where to get help for an addiction:

Mental Health and Addictions:

Port Hardy 949-8611

Port McNeill 956-3644

Crystal Meth Victoria Society: www.crystalmethbc.ca

Narcotics Anonymous: www.bcrscna.bc.ca/meetings/area/stratcona-area.htm

Street names for crystal meth

* speed * meth * jib * poor man's cocaine * ice * crystal * crank *
glass * chalk