CRYSTAL METH GROWS IN POPULARITY WITH TEENS

Crystal meth is a form of methamphetamine and a powerful stimulant
drug.

The term "crystal" refers to the drug's appearance which usually looks
like clear shards of glass that are then crushed. The form of
methamphetamine used today can be crushed, heated and smoked having a
more potent effect on the brain.

A 2002 study comparing high school and vulnerable youth (average age
17) in Victoria and Vancouver found that:

- - 18.7 per cent had tried crystal meth

- - 14.5 years - average age of first usage

Preliminary date from a 2003 survey of youth in Vancouver and Victoria
comparing high school youth and vulnerable youth, show that overall:

- - 70 per cent of street involved Vancouver youth have used crystal meth

- - 10 per cent of Victoria high school youth have tried it

- - 19 per cent of lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered youth have used it

- - 19 per cent of Aboriginal youth have used it

- - 43 per cent of youth attending the Victoria Youth Empowerment
drop-in reported using crystal meth.

Youth detox in Victoria saw a yearly doubling of admissions for
crystal meth from 2001 to 2003 and continue to see an increase with 67
per cent of admissions now for crystal meth detox.

Crystal meth is a powerful stimulant which can be injected, snorted,
smoked or swallowed.

Crystal meth stimulates the body's adrenalin system, raising body
temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. Immediate dangers of
intoxication with crystal meth may include heart attack, stroke,
seizures and even death.

Signs of use: dilated pupils, sweating and flushed skin, dry mouth,
tremors, increased energy or hyperactivity

General effects: elevated heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory
rate, decreased appetite, alertness, aggression, paranoia, depression
and irritability.

High doses: hallucinations and delusions

Long-term effects: psychological dependency, malnutrition, skin
abscesses, mood disturbances and psychosis; kidney and other tissue
damage, cardiac and neurological damage including irregular heartbeat,
increased blood pressure, inflammation of the heart lining and stroke
producing damage to small blood vessels in the brain.