MANY DANGERS OF CRYSTAL METH

Re: Meth watch (NEWS Views, March 9).

Crystal meth is to the current generation what crack cocaine was to
the previous generation, only much worse. There is no set chemical
composition to crystal meth. It is generally "cooked" in homes, using
whatever ingredients are available (or cheapest). Subsequently a user
does not know what they are smoking (if it is in "rock" form). some of
the ingredients can be cyanide, GHB - horse tranquilizer, PCP, etc.
All of which are lethal if consumed in large doses.

What it does is poison the central nervous system to the extent that
people feel "high" for a few hours and the crash is severe, leading to
the perpetuating loop - "I don't like how I'm feeling and crystal made
me feel OK.... I have to do some more to get out of this." This often
goes on until the person crashes and burns.

Having worked in a treatment centre, long-term (even a few months) use
of "ice" is devastating. It destroys motor and cognitive ability very
quickly and people take 6 to 12 months to get out of the cycle and are
often suicidal, during the first two months.

At this point it is a national epidemic and the health authorities
will be looking for long term care facilities for the crystal addicts.

My solution would be two years years plus one day for dealers, which
would mean serving time in federal penitentiary, and mandatory
treatment for the users.

Kent Gallagher

Halifax