DEADLY DRUG HITS THE STREETS

What's old is new again, but far more dangerous. Amphetamines - a drug that
was licit decades ago as a mild prescription to many housewives in the
1950s is now illicitly being produced in make-shift labs with their effects
dangerously strong, uncontrolled and sometimes deadly.

Amphetamines have been used medically in the past as a stimulant to the
nervous system enhancing stamina and the ability to lose weight; but it is
the most hyper-charged form of amphetamine, crystal methamphetamine, that
is infiltrating the already destructive drug world.

"It's not as prevalent in Revelstoke as in some communities, but crystal
meth (as methamphetamines are known) is here," RCMP Const. Andrew West,
Crime Prevention Coordinator/Investigator, said in a recent interview.

The drug gives the user an immediate sense of elation and euphoria that
comes from feelings of social acceptance, sexual stamina and unlimited energy.

"Crystal meth gives a similar high to cocaine, but is even more dangerous,"
said Bertha Stone, Drug and Alcohol Counsellor at the Revelstoke Alcohol
and Drug Association.

Someone using crystal meth can stay up for days, sometimes up to 15,
without sleep resulting in what users call "tweaking"; the term to describe
when one starts seeing things that aren't there.

Hence, some of the various street names connected to the drug are Tweak,
Amp, Crank, Glass, Crystal, Jib, etc.

These street names also denote exactly what the substance looks like:
little shards of glass-like crystals are what are extracted from various
legal substances such as battery acid, brake fluid, floor stripper and
flammable retardants as well as some common cold medications.

"The production of crystal meth is a major danger," West said. "They use
highly explosive and toxic substances."

"Another potential danger of the drug is who and how it's made, they use
highly explosive materials," said Stone. "Pharmacy drugs are very
consistent, and there is a difficulty with crystal meth not monitoring how
it is made."

"Some labs are pretty dirty. There's no quality control," West said.

The medical risks to crystal meth include elevated blood pressure and risk
of stroke. Symptoms under the drug range from anxiety to mental confusion
and violence. Long term effects can cause nutrient deficiencies, lowered
resistance to disease and organ damage to the lungs, liver and kidneys.

But it is the mental distress of the drug that ultimately takes its toll on
its user. After an extensive period on the drug one may experience anxiety,
depression and chronic fatigue; paranoid delusions and toxic psychosis.

"One of the really scary things with crystal meth is the violent behaviour
and the crime related to its use," said West. "Break and enters, theft and
car theft are often related to crystal meth use."

And it is not just the association of crime with the drug that worries Stone.

"Crystal meth is a lot cheaper than other drugs like cocaine and our brain
chemistry causes it to be more addictive," said Stone.

In fact, part of the biggest battle against crystal meth use is it's shear
affordability and availability. Recipes to create the drug are openly
available on Internet.

"It is cheap, potent and highly addictive," said Stone who is also
concerned with yet another deadly side effect to the drug which is the
lowered inhibitions one feels when high.

The feeling of invulnerability along with a heightened sex drive combines
in a person to reduce their level of decision making that results in
unplanned pregnancies, STDs and crime.

"A lot of people use cocaine. People of all ages even up to 66 years-old;
using and dealing," said Stone.

"And one of the difficulties is that it's (crystal meth) cut with different
drugs like cocaine."

"One could consume coke and not be aware there's crystal meth in it," she said.

The real fear that both Stone and West share is that as Revelstoke's size
increases so might it's availability of hard drugs like crystal meth.

"There are not a lot of cases presenting now, but I think it will
increase," said Stone.

"In places like Kelowna and Vernon, they've seen property crimes increase,
I hope it doesn't happen to Revelstoke," said West.

But before this next wave of drug use hits Revelstoke, the Revelstoke
Alcohol and Drug Association along with the RCMP have pro-actively spoken
to teens and parents in anticipation of its arrival, warning them of the
drugs uniquely deadly combination of addictiveness, availability and crime.
Not to mention the devastating toll the drug takes on the body and mind.

"The first thing they lose is their jobs, then families then health," said
Stone.

West said that it is sad and frustrating to see the effect on the community
after people become addicted.

"We can't turn a blind eye because it affects us all," he said.

"Being hooked on this drug ruins people's lives."