CRACK KEEPS METH AT BAY

City Cops Say Deadly Drug May Soon Become A Major Player In Narcotics Trade

In the midst of a national crackdown on crystal methamphetamine, Calgary
streets have so far been spared from the ravages of the dangerous drug --
but likely not for long.

Sgt. Roger Morrison of the police drug unit, said it's naive to think the
toxic drug, which has mushroomed across Western Canada, won't eventually
gain popularity in Calgary, but for now it's being passed up by addicts in
favour of crack cocaine.

"If meth inundates the drug scene, crack sales go down," he said.

And because crack is a lot more expensive than methamphetamine, drug
dealers -- linked to organized crime -- don't want to see the cheaper drug
taking over.

Calgary's situation is rare among large Canadian cities, where crystal meth
has become the cheap and addictive high of choice among street users.

The situation is so bad, its eradication became a dominant topic at last
week's meeting of Canada's premiers.

At the same time, the federal government passed tougher sentences for those
caught possessing, making and trafficking crystal meth.

Mark, a crack and crystal meth addict who wouldn't give his last name, has
been clean for the last five days and knows first-hand how difficult it is
to find the lab-made drug in even the seediest areas of Calgary.

"It's not offered on the streets here like crack is. You need to know
someone who has it or someone who makes it," he said.

Mark, 40, said he was hooked to the drug -- made from volatile chemicals
such as iodine and red phosphorus -- from the moment he tried it eight
years ago.

"Everything feels OK while you're on it," he said. "But coming down is
really horrible -- it feels like shards of glass are coming out of your
skin, and you scratch and scratch until you get open sores."

Mark agrees it's likely a combination of the low-cost and long-lasting high
that has kept meth at bay in Calgary.

"A dealer can make a lot more money on crack than meth," he said. "Eighty
dollars would get me high for a week on meth, but $80 would only get me
high for an hour on crack."

Despite its scarcity, Morrison said the drug is definitely here. In
September, the drug unit busted a lab in Calgary. Since then, there have
been four to five meth-related laboratory incidents police have investigated.

Mark said he would like the chance to warn people considering trying the drug.

"I would say, don't ever try it, ever," he said. "It will ruin your life."