EYE-OPENING SESSION ON DRUGS

An image of a woman in her 20s, eyes bright and face full indicative of the
life that lay before her -- cut to a photo of the same woman after four
years of methamphetamin use.

Eyes are sunken deep within the sockets, cheeks hollowed and drawn,
her skin tremendously crevassed and wrinkled while any glimmer of life
is extinguished.

The young woman appeared to have aged 30 years in a matter of 48
months.

As the use of street drugs, also known as club drugs, increases
exponentially in the province RCMP are taking an aggressive role in
preventing and extinguishing the problem before it reaches epidemic
proportions.

Sgt. Ian Sanderson, an Edmonton RCMP officer with the Drug Awareness
Service, hosted an information driven forum on street drugs, aimed at
educating parents, teachers and concerned residents about the dangers
lurking on city streets.

"There is a real thirst for knowledge in communities on drug issues.
For a number of reasons, whether it be family, work or just plain
interest, people are eager to gain information on drug issues and
trends," said Sanderson.

The Big Four the RCMP refer to are Ecstasy, Ketamine, Methamphetamine
and GHB.

"We in Canada do not rely on off-shore sources for these drugs, they
can literally be made in your own kitchen," explained Sanderson.
"These drugs, despite being called club drugs, are not exclusive to
the club scene, nor are they associated with one single group of people."

Raves have often been deemed the breeding ground for such drug use but
of adolescents in attendance surveyed about drug use, only 60 per cent
were using one or more of the four. Of those surveyed, aged 18 and
older, 95 per cent partake in drug activity.

"At the large raves held in Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver organizers
hire paramedics to be on hand in case of an overdose," said Sanderson,
who went on to explain the hosting clubs do not have liquor licenses
and simply sell bottled water to combat the extreme dehydration caused
by club drugs.

Lollipops and soothers were also associated with the club and rave
scene since both stimulate saliva production to combat severe dry mouth.

While the prodominent club drugs are threatening at best, the emerging
concern for North America is methamphetamine. Its incidence has
reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. with the best defense being
to stop the problem before it takes hold. In 1998, there were 13
investigations and 21 charges laid involving meth. By 2002 the number
of investigations rose to 164, and in 2003 232 charges were laid.

Meth, also called crystal, ice, speed, is emerging as the number one
drug problem around the globe. Its use surpasses that of cocaine in
many jurisdiction and Sanderson warns that in comparison to the U.S.
"we haven't seen anything yet".

Meth is derived from ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. The latter
produces the most fat soluble form of meth, thus is more readily
absorbed by the brain.

It is very addictive and creates feelings of endless energy, with a
crash following the high and resulting in anxiety, depression and
mental confusion. While on this drug, users do not feel the need to
eat or sleep. Aggressive users will go 14 to 28 days without food or
sleep, and the maximum a body can digest in one day is 1 to 1.5 grams.

Symptoms of meth use are talkativeness, eyelid tremors, leg tremors,
acidic body odour (similar to cat urine), dilated pupils relatively
unresponsive to light, rigid muscle tone, inability to divide
attention, decrease in appetite and pounding heart sensation.

The euphoric rush when the drug is initially consumed lasts 5 to 30
minutes, the high lasts 4 to 16 hours and a binge is consecutive use
for 3 to 15 days. Withdrawal takes 30 to 90 days contrary to regular
drug rehabilitation programs which run 21 days. Prolonged abstinence
of 180 to 365 days is recommended followed by support and counseling
for two years.

The RCMP's strategy for Alberta involves public awareness, community
mobilization, precursor chemical company awareness, awareness in the
policing community, retailer awareness and first responders. The
course of action is designed to stop the problem before it start with
aggressive measures and comprehensive community education forums.

"I think people take away a broader person knowledge, hopefully in a
form that will not increase their anxiety on the issue, or create a
fear mongering scenario," said Sanderson in describing the benefits
and purpose of his drug forums.

"If they are dealing with drug issues personally or in their family or
work place, I hope they can take away a sense of hope, and see they
are not alone in dealing with these issues, and there are lots of
people who can help. These are very complex and imposing issues, I
hope the evening was a positive experience."

For more information on street drug abuse and treatment contact AADAC
at 361-1358.