DRUG HAS PEAKED IN KAMLOOPS

Kamloops This Week

The use of stimulant drugs seem to go through cycles, and in the case
of crystal meth, the peak has occurred in Kamloops.

At least that's the view of Bob Hughes, the man behind the highly
publicized Meth Kickers treatment program operated under the Phoenix
Centre's Raven youth program.

He told IHA officials during a recent board meeting there has been a
"levelling out" of the drug's use.

He was quick, however, to say crystal meth won't go away and is now
one more drug that will challenge health-care providers for years to come.

What makes it different than other man-made drugs, said Hughes, is
its accessibility. Crystal meth is cheap and can be concocted anywhere.

This means use is broad and present throughout B.C., compared to
cocaine, for example, which tends to flourish more in larger centres,
said Hughes.

"There's much more rural production and consumption [of crystal meth]."

The white powder can be swallowed, snorted, injected or smoked.

The latter, which is most common in B.C. makes its use more prevalent
due to the limited social stigma around lighting up, suggested Hughes.

It also seems to be used more often by young people, and is also
affecting the middle class and traditionally "protected" population groups.