CRYSTAL METH ADDICTION A 'GROWING CONCERN' IN THE PROVINCE

Purchasing cold remedies such as Sudafed may be more difficult, thanks
to a little known chemical known as methamphetamine, or crystal meth.

It is a stimulant that can easily be manufactured with ingredients
from over the counter remedies for the common cold.

Restricting the sale of such medications is one of the ways identified
by a Saskatchewan Health report which proposes measures to address the
addiction problem and the availability of ingredients that can be used
to produce the substance.

A strategy entitled A Strategic Plan for Crystal Meth and Other
Amphetamines in Saskatchewan, recognizes the addiction as "a growing
concern" in the province.

According to figures cited in the report, use of the stimulant
increased from 7.9 per cent in 2001 and 2002, to nine per cent in the
following year. The figure rose to 10 per cent in the first nine
months of 2003 and 2004.

To tackle the problem, the strategy will focus on four key areas of
prevention, treatment, public education and reducing drug supply. The
Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police is working with
pharmacists across the province to remove chemicals needed for the
manufacture of methamphetamine from open display.

A crystal meth watchgroup, the National Crystal Meth Watch Coalition,
is also trying to curtail the purchase of over-the-counter cold
remedies and other household products which can be used to produce the
drug.

Crystal meth can be ingested through injection, swallowing or smoking.
Typical side effects include paranoia, aggression and depression.

The substance, which was once limited to the west coast of the United
States, is now increasingly available in Saskatchewan.

According to David MacKinnon, regional manager of addiction services
for Prairie North Health Region, the low price of crystal meth is one
contributing factor to its spread.

"The most insidious thing about this drug is it's reasonably
inexpensive - very, very inexpensive compared to cocaine, and its high
lasts longer." He described the number of crystal meth users in Meadow
Lake as "small but significant", cocaine being more prevalent.

"In the marketplace, crack and crystal meth compete with each other.
But we are seeing clients who come in with meth addiction," he said.
"Most people we're talking to buy it on the streets."

Part of the difficulty in knowing how many people in a community are
crystal meth users lies in the fact that most addicts use a variety of
drugs. "Most people are poly drug users. Some use it once a year, some
everyday so you won't know who is a regular," MacKinnon said.

Treatment period varies for individuals. Some respond to counselling
and outpatient treatment in several sessions, while others require
inpatient treatment ranging from 30 to 90 days.

According to the report, almost half of those who are under alcohol
and drug programs funded by the provincial government identify
themselves as aboriginal.

Northern Saskatchewan has the highest alcohol dependency rate and
illicit drug use in the province. This could be due to the
disproportionately large number of adolescents and young adult
population, as 40 per cent of the northern population is under 15
years of age.

Crystal meth use is most prevalent among youths aged between 20 and
30. The region's geographical isolation is a possible factor behind
the province's addiction problem, as logistical constrains make the
delivery of drug rehabilitation programs more difficult and less effective.

One of the ways for the program to work on the target population is by
engaging elders in developing treatment and prevention programs, and
help youths reconnect with their traditional values.

Liz Derocher has been an addictions counsellor with the Flying Dust
First Nation for seven years. Last year, she worked with 30 to 40
people who came to her with addiction problems, the most common being
cocaine and alcohol.

"I know there is a problem with marijuana and coke in our community,"
she said. To increase awareness on addiction problems, she will be
organizing an afternoon workshop at Flying Dust First Nation's
gymnasium on February 23.

Drugs, like consumer goods, are subject to the forces of demand and
supply. Economics may be the answer to effectively curb its spread.

"Most people who use it (meth) prefer cocaine. It's whether they can
afford it or not," MacKinnon said.