METH DESTROYING 'GREAT KIDS'

Doug Gray knows the devastating effects of crystal methamphetamine.
The vice-principal of the Storefront school in Kelowna has seen the
ravages of meth first-hand.

He said the students are "great" kids with problems who don't fit
into the regular school system for a variety of reasons.

For some of the Storefront students, their problems can be devastating.

The youths come to the school with different challenges, from
attention-deficit disorder to dysfunctional family backgrounds.

Some come from horrific backgrounds of abuse and neglect and turn to
drugs to numb the pain.

"They will use drugs to self medicate," said Gray, adding not all the
students usedrugs or alcohol and only a handful are doing heavy drugs.

Drug use at the downtown school is no greater proportionally than at
any other school, but the teachers work closely with the students and
the use is readily noticed.

Crystal meth burst onto the Okanagan drug scene almost three years
ago. It's cheap and easy to find. It is also highly addictive and destructive.

Gray has watched teens spiral downward in a matter of days, going
from good students to not even being able to recognize him. "We had
kids start using crystal meth and it was reallyevident."

Not only is personality change "drastic," but Gray has witnessed the
chemical "leak" out of students eyes and open sores.

"It's poison that is trying to get out," he said. "We had kids
explore, go out and try crystal meth and they are never the same."

Linda, a teacher and counsellor at the school who asked her name be
changed for confidentiality reasons, has seen students permanently
changed by using meth.

She said one student went from Grade 8 math skills to Grade 4 math
skills after using meth only a few times.

"I have seen cognitive abilities go backward," she said. "They
regress in their ability to read and function. They don't go
sideways, they go straight downhill.

"They are just not able tocope with life."

Gray and Linda said the kids they know who are on crystal meth are
not hardened criminals, but "good kids" who were lured into the world
of drugs in an effort to deal with the pain of their past.

"These are just kids with problems; kids with issues," said Linda.
"They are great kids."

Gray said crystal meth is validating the use of marijuana. He has
spoken to parents who are relieved their children are "only using marijuana."

But Gray and Linda believe marijuana is a gateway drug and its
validation also validates the use of harder drugs.