POLICE WILL USE NEW VIDEO TO ILLUSTRATE DANGER OF DRUG USE

Fort Macleod RCMP are launching an offensive against the growing
epidemic of crystal methamphetamine use in town. Police intend to
educate the public about the dangerous drug and enlist citizens' help
in locating clandestine labs where it is manufactured.

"This stuff is more powerful and addictive than cocaine at one-sixth
of the price of cocaine," RCMP Sgt. Dennis Eidet said. "It's
inexpensive to make. You could set up a lab in the back of your car."

Eidet and Const. Kevin Osborne had met with council last fall to
discuss the growing use of the addictive drug in southern Alberta and
Fort Macleod.

On Feb. 28, Eidet again met with council to stress his growing
concern, and to present a new video about crystal methamphetamine
developed by RCMP headquarters.

"Anyone who thinks methamphetamine is not in our area is blind to the
truth," Mayor Shawn Patience said.

Eidet agreed, adding organized crime is behind the spread of crystal
methamphetamine, even in small rural communities such as Fort Macleod.

"It's a plague, is what it is," Eidet said. "We as police can't do it
ourselves. We need the public's help to combat it."

Crystal methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant most
commonly produced using a mixture of over-the-counter cold remedies
and chemicals that can be bought in any hardware store.

"What's scary about this stuff is how highly addictive it is," said
Eidet, explaining a person can become hooked the first time he or she
uses the drug.

Crystal meth appears as an off-white crystalline powder, brown
granules or transparent crystals, and is known by street names such as
meth, crystal, speed, glass, ice, shards, jib, crank, peanut butter
and chicken.

The drug is smoked, snorted, injected or swallowed.

Drug seminar set

A forum on illegal drug use will be held Monday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at
F.P. Walshe school.

The forum is sponsored by Fort Macleod Citizens On Patrol in
conjunction with the Youth Justice Committee and the RCMP.

The forum is open to the public and will be of particular interest to
parents of school-aged children.

Some of the issues to be dealt with include: how to recognize if a
child is using drugs; the physical effects of drug use on the human
body; how to identify a marijuana grow operation or meth lab; and the
dangers to the community.

Cpl. Kate Anderson of RCMP K Division's drug unit in Edmonton will
attend, along with Dr. William Tatton of Fort Macleod, a neurologist
with extensive experience in dealing with the effects of drugs on the
brain.