COUNTY COUNCIL WARNED OF CRYSTAL METH'S DANGERS

The production and distribution of crystal methamphetamine in rural
Alberta is a huge problem, says a local RCMP constable.

"The biggest concern right now about manufacturing crystal
methamphetamine is all the ingredients you need are available at a
hardware store or a drug store," said Const. Craig Albers during a
presentation to Parkland County council Tuesday.

Crystal meth is the "drug of choice right now in our area." Its
ingredients are easy to obtain, it's relatively simple to make, and
individuals don't need to live in a centralized location, like a city,
to make the necessary connections to buy or sell the drug, Albers explained.

This is extremely dangerous for a number of reasons, he
continued.

First, there is a high risk of impurities being incorporated in the
drug when it is made by individuals in their homes. Crystal meth is
made from a combination of volatile chemicals, including drain cleaner
and ether, which can be deadly.

"The science is not always followed properly," said Albers.

Once ingested, crystal meth will give users an extreme high by
increasing dopamine in the brain, which can result in an addiction to
the drug.

Albers said crystal meth users also have disrupted sleep patterns,
will experience an increase in their aggressiveness and irritability,
and may suffer long-term damage to their heart, liver, kidneys and
lungs.

"Unfortunately, it's a very cheap high," said Albers, as one gram of
crystal meth will sell for $60 to $70, which is about half the street
value of cocaine.

Another reason it tends to be prevalent in rural areas, he said, is
that people have more distance between neighbours, enabling them to
set up clandestine labs without drawing much attention to themselves.

External indicators of a crystal meth lab, he said, are the presence
of strong chemical odours or lab equipment, ventilation pipes
protruding from the building, covered or barred windows, and garbage
that includes a larger number of empty chemical containers or
purple-tinged coffee filters.

However, anyone who suspects there may be a clandestine lab in an area
is urged to stay away from the property and call the police. Many of
the chemicals used in producing crystal meth are flammable and may
explode or react to create toxic gases that may result in death.

Cleaning up a clandestine lab site can cost the RCMP between $2,000
and $4,000, said Albers, and requires the services of the RCMP's K
Division clan lab response team.

Following Albers' presentation, Coun. Darrell Hollands suggested it
might be useful for the county's public works department to also hear
the presentation.

Hollands said public works staff members are often out on county roads
and could keep their eyes open for any unusual activity, provided they
knew what to look for.

Mayor Phyllis Kobasiuk thanked Albers for his presentation and said
the county is always looking for partnerships it can develop with the
local RCMP detachments.