STORY OF CRYSTAL METH FAR FROM OVER

It started as an information piece in response to the plight of a locally
family. Their teenager had fallen under the influence of crystal meth, and
the family wanted the community to know what the drug is and how to tell if
your kid is on it.

As a series, Not My Kid: Crystal Meth in Your Community took off in ways
that we at The Post could never have predicted. What started as an
information piece brought out so many different stories about the drug -- a
drug that many of us barely knew existed.

It was an education for The Post, as well as for our readers, and we're
pleased that it was so well received. During the 12-week series, we saw 400
people turn out for a public meeting to learn more about crystal meth from
local experts. We saw a large drug bust that focussed on crystal meth and
charged 38 people for various drug offences.

We met A.J., a young Hanover man who battled the drug and lived to tell
about it. And he is admirably dedicated to telling as many people about
crystal meth and other drugs as possible, in order to save them and their
families the heartache, pain and consequences of drug abuse. We support him.

We met parents whose children are struggling with addictions to crystal
meth, and felt the pain that they are going through. We're happy to report
that several of those individuals are now seeking help.

We learned that help is not easy to find, with prohibitively long waiting
lists -- too long for an addict who needs help right now, before giving up
and going back to the drug and, likely, the streets.

We met other individuals who were able to show us the ravages their bodies
have undergone thanks to using crystal meth. They wanted to serve as
examples for other people, especially teenagers and young adults, who might
have been thinking about using crystal meth. Hopefully, their message was
received.

We also met the officials who are trying to combat the problem. Thank you
to our local police services and OPP officers, who have been extremely
supportive of The Post and this series. Thank you especially to Hanover
Police Chief Tracy David and Detective Sergeant Brett Mailloux, who is
leading the OPP in investigating methamphetamine labs and combatting drug
dealers.

Ultimately, we learned that crystal meth is not a remote problem reserved
for faraway cities and other provinces. It is very much a rural phenomenon,
and it is here, in our small towns, in our schools and, for many, in our homes.

A deep thank you to all who spoke out in our series to help show the
communities we serve the ravages that crystal meth wreaks, the increased
crime that it creates, and hopefully influence people against using the drug.

It may be the end of the series, but the story is far from over. The Post
is dedicated to continuing coverage of the effects of crystal meth on the
community and, with hope, the success of putting traffickers, producers and
users of meth where they belong.