CRYSTAL METH CAN BE A PROBLEM

They are called Tweakers and they should be approached with caution.

Tweakers are users of crystal meth -- a higly addictive drug that is
surprisingly easy to make and sometimes deadly.

Last week, Walpole Island resident Karen Lallean made a presentation
at the the island's community centre on crystal meth, a drug that she
says even a single dose of can be enough to cause long-term
neurodevelopment problems.

"I don't know how much there is here. It's all ages, it's not just
young kids," said Lallean.

She recently made a presentation to the Walpole Island Service
Providers and a second one was aimed at the community. She said
crystal meth is easy to move around and a lot of the ingredients can
be found in drug stores.

"It's easy to make. They can make it in car trunks and in corn
fields. It's mixing it together that causes it to cook."

Lallean learned about the harmful, addictive drug at the Sasketchewan
Indian Institute of Technologies. Her presentation includes a
videotape which she recommends not be viewed by those under 16.

"Anything I can do to help make our community better, I will."

Lallean gave a lot of helpful tips on how to approach someone who has
been using crystal meth. These include stay at a distance, do not
shine a flashlight directly at them, slow your movements, keep the
individual talking and very important, get help.

A form of help is available from the Walpole Island Police and Chief
John Trudeau said he doesn't suspect a wide useage of Crystal Meth on
the island.

"Not as far as I know but that doesn't mean we can't prepare
ourselves," said Trudeau.

He agrees with Lallean that it is easy to make and said information
is available on the Internet.

Asked if there are a lot of drugs on Walpole Island he responded,
"It's like any other community, it is a problem."

"I don't know what it's like off the island, but I know it's here,"
said Lallean.