REACHING THE TARGET AUDIENCE

Whitecourt recently witnessed the firm hand of our judicial system
striking down a man, believed to be involved in the methamphetamine
world, and sent this man to jail following a shooting incident that
occurred this past January. Although he pleaded guilty to a lesser
charge (from attempted murder) to assault with a weapon, his sentence
should send out a strong message to our community.

However, we need to ask ourselves if this message will hit the target
audience?

This man, in his early 30s, will be spending the next two years, less
a day, in jail and upon his release, he will be placed on a strict
probation order for another two years. Considering this sentence
doesn't reflect the time he has served since Jan. 5 which is
considered double time upon sentencing, this firm hand is more than
welcomed in this community.

In the local courtroom, this message was loud and clear ---- this
criminal behaviour won't be tolerated.

Thankfully, no one was hurt in the Jan. 5 incident, but it doesn't
mean it won't happen again, considering both the accused and the
victim are known to the police, especially for their drug involvement
in this community. Perhaps this sentence won't have an affect on
people who are already heavily involved in the meth world, but maybe,
just maybe, it could be a determining factor when a youth has to make
the decision between wrong or right ---- meth or no meth.

It's hard to believe that someone, especially young people, would
knowingly destroy their bodies and mind for the sake of a high, laced
with paranoia.

If the jail sentence this man received isn't enough to make people
think twice before ingesting meth, take a look at some of the
long-term effects of this drug (including problems with thinking,
memory and movement);

Other effects: Small doses can make you feel alert and energetic. Acne-like
sores. Racing heart beat, high blood pressure, chest pain, heart failure and
death. Damage to blood vessels in the brain or stroke. Sleeping problems,
exhaustion and restlessness. Weight loss. Confusion, paranoia, irritability
and anxiety. Shakiness, sweating, blurred vision and dizziness. Convulsions.
Overheating. Depression, violent, aggressive and suicidal behaviour.
Headaches. Stomach pain and extreme hunger. Out of control rages. Over dose
can cause delusions, hallucinations, seizures, stroke, heart failure, coma
and death.

And please, don't be stupid enough to think that none of these will
happen to you because of your youth ---- people, of all ages, die all
the time due to drug problems. Meth doesn't discriminate and it
doesn't play favourites. Meth doesn't care who it kills.