METH INTEREST A RISING CONCERN

Federal laws regarding crystal meth drug use may have adverse effects on
users moving further underground amidst the growing spotlight, says West
Kootenay addiction services worker, Tammy Verigin-Burk.

"I think a law like that is only as good as the police enforcing it," she
adds, "and having the opportunities to go in and charge people. In
Castlegar, most deals occur in the home rather than on the street. And
police are forced to obtain search warrants from Victoria in order to enter
homes.

This makes applying new laws difficult, Verigin-Burk says.

As for hype swirling around the highly-addictive drug, she feels it's
warranted, but not helping.

"I have huge concerns around the hype," she says. "I think more people are
using [meth] because the interest is so huge.

Moreover, highlighting meth downplays use of other hard drugs like heroin
and cocaine.

"A common comment I will get is 'hey I'm only doing crack, at least I'm not
doing meth.'"

On top of a change in attitude, hype is also driving the drug underground,
she says. Meth use is frowned upon, not only by the general public but
amidst users as well. And users are less inclined to confess their drug
issues to counsellors, friends and family.

"It takes a lot to pry-out of a youth that they have, or are using meth,"
she notes.

As for solutions, it's too soon to say whether increased legislation will
make difference, she contends.

"For every dealer that is charged there will just be another dealer."

Although meth may be this week's flavour of the day, locally it's already on
its way out - as waves on new drugs move in. Verigen-Burke says she's seen a
downturn in local meth use - Castlegar specifically - over the past five to
six years.

"I find that the West Kootenays are trendy-trendy ...," she concludes. "They
move through the drug trends pretty quickly."