COUNCILLOR, POLICE TO FIGHT CRYSTAL METH

The increase of Crystal Methamphetamine use in Alberta was the focus
of a drug strategy conference attended by town councillor Arnold Aarts.

With the education he received from the conference, Aarts is ready to
find way to prevent the spread of the drug in the local community.

"I want to start preventing it now, and getting rid of what we do
have in the community," adds Aart.

Aart says it can start by creating workshops for the kids and parents
so they can see what the drug is capable of doing.

"It is one of the worst drugs out there because of all the junk in
it. It can ruin your life," says Aarts. "It's not what it exactly
does to you when you are on it but also what it does when you are
coming off of it."

Some suggestions given at the conference, says Aarts, were making
cards with information about the drug which are distributed to all
the households in the community, or the formation of a society that
acts as a support for recovering addicts.

Local RCMP staff sergeant Pierson says the police service has already
been making presentations to prevent the spread of crystal meth as it
is also referred.

"Although we haven't seen it that much here, which is a good thing,
for us to think it's not going to come would be naive," says Staff
Sgt. Pierson.

He adds prevention needs to start with anyone who may have some power
over children.

"Parents, teachers, Health care workers, and retailers all need to be
aware. This is a total community thing. Especially people who deal
with those who are high risk," continues Pierson.

To get informed on crystal meth, Pierson suggests people to contact
health care workers, the police, and AADAC. They can also use the
Internet for information.

Pierson continues saying the drug is one of the most serious and is
compared to crack cocaine.

"It's all you think about. It consumes you from the time you wake up
to the time you go to bed. It is highly addictive, you only have to
try it once," adds Pierson.

Pierson also says the drug can be found anywhere in the community.

"It is not a poor person drug, we have kids from good families that
have gotten into it," adds Pierson.

Here are some facts about the drug:

- - It is referred to as crystal, ice, meth, crank, jib and speed.

- - It can be made anywhere, things to watch for in the community are
an over purchase of supplies like Draino, campfire fuel, liquid
plumber, acetone, laquer, Sudafed and other cold medicines, and Ephedrine.

- - Long-term effects include problems with thinking memory and movement.

- - It leaves holes in the brain matter.

Pierson says the early side effects of the drugs include paranoia,
dilated pupils, light sensitivity, weight loss.

The long term effects according to the AADAC website include sores
where toxins are leaving the body, convulsions, overheating,
depression, violent, aggressive, and suicidal behaviour, headaches,
stomach pain / extreme hunger, out-of-control rages, and overdoses
can cause delusions, hallucinations, seizures, stroke, heart failure,
coma, and death.

Every batch of crystal meth is tainted with toxic chemicals.

Pierson says parents can watch for signs of use in their homes simply
by taking note of children's behavior.

"Kids not into criminal behavior will start to steal to get money for
the drug," adds Pierson.

The AADAC website states that even with treatment, there is still a
chance the person will continue with drug use.

"Addiction centers report a relapse rate at 90 per cent, and
withdrawal symptom are worse than those of heroine and cocaine. The
only way to stay completely safe is not to take crystal meth at all."