WRONG TO PLAY DOWN RISK OF METH

Re: Manufacturing A Drug Panic, Colby Cosh, Aug. 15.

Mr. Cosh is wrong to play down the risk of crystal meth addiction.

Over the last couple of years, since my oldest son became addicted to
crystal meth, I and my entire family, have been dragged into a world that
nobody would want to be in. The worry you go through when someone you love
is at daily risk of dying due to his destructive behaviors is not something
I would wish on anyone. The horror stories about excessive weight loss,
week-long binges, violent behaviour and paranoia are true.

Just over a year ago his best friend was killed in a car accident brought
about by meth use. Even this was not sufficient motivation for him to want
to quit. As far as I know, none of his other "using" friends have even
tried to quit.

The fact that our government is finally taking some constructive steps
should be lauded, not made out to be some sort of cheap political move.
Stiffening the penalties for the distribution of crystal meth should have
been done years ago.

Don T.

Winnipeg.