RCMP FIGHTING HUGE BATTLE AGAINST METH

The fight against the rapid use of Methamphetamine will be an on-going
battle for years to come according to Corporal Kate Anderson of the
RCMP.

Cpl. Anderson made a presentation in Spirit River last week, warning
of the dangers of meth products and labs that are wreaking havoc in
communities throughout the province.

Meth has become prevalent in communities in Alberta in the last year
and a half after it fell off the market in the late 1960's and early
1970's. The drug resurfaced in the United States in the early 1990's
and what happens in the States takes about 10 years to cross the
border into Canada. "It starts on the west coast," noted Anderson. "In
2003, B.C. accounted for 50% of all meth labs in Canada, Alberta had
11, Ontario and Quebec had four each and Manitoba had one. Remind you,
these are the only ones we were finding."

The popularity of Meth comes from its cheapness to make, the
long-lasting high users get and the psychologically addictiveness of
it. A Meth high can last anywhere from two to 16 hours -- it costs
only about $5 for a hit of Meth -- and it produces severe withdrawal
symptoms. "It's said that it takes 180 days of treatment to escape the
need for Meth, but it's also been noted that most users who come out
of a treatment centre eventually return to the drug," said Anderson.

Some of the chemicals mixed together to make Meth have resulted in
numerous fires and explosions at Meth labs. Rubbing alcohol, brake
cleaner, ether, drain cleaner, pseudoephedrine and ephedrine (cold
tablets), plus the increasingly popular anhydrous ammonia and most
popular agent currently being used, red phosphorus, which is what is
used on match books and road side flares. The number one solvent used
right now is Coleman fuel. A combination of these chemicals makes for
dangerous times for Meth chemists. "The most hazardous thing about
Meth labs is fires and explosions. About one in six Meth labs end up
with an explosion and/or fire," said Anderson. She also noted that if
you see someone purchasing or having between 700-1,000 match books on
them, the only reason is they are making Meth. "The red phosphorus
used is extremely friction sensitive," she said. "Another problem that
it creates is phosphene gas which is an odorless, but very deadly gas."

If the making of the drug doesn't kill you, then taking it probably
will. Meth causes severe paranoia, users become very violent and their
pain tolerance is incredible. "No matter how much pain you inflict on
them to get them under control, they're still going to come out
fighting and they think they have a super human feeling and they're
going to take on the world.

"They get to this state when they are 'tweaking', which means using
the drug for days on end. This is when they become the most dangerous
and they shouldn't be confronted alone. These people will literally
use Meth for days on end. When they're on Meth, they are going to be
awake for 24 hours a day. One fellow, a 21 year old from Hinton, told
me that the longest Meth run he had been on was for 12 days -- that's
where he never slept for 12 days straight," said Anderson.

As a result of constant use of Meth, users start to think that 'bugs'
are coming out of their skin. They believe that Meth crystals are
coming out of their skin and they start scratching, picking and
clawing and eventually start to eat their skin. Anderson also
mentioned a Meth addict who believed that Meth crystals were being
excreted out of his eyes and he was eating that -- however, a doctor
who was asked if this was possible, said no, what he was in fact
eating was 'sleep gunk'.

Anderson added that to keep the community as clean as possible from
Meth labs and the such, people should be aware of their surroundings.
Strong odor coming from houses (ammonia smell), blacked out windows,
renters who pay cash, lots of traffic to and from a house 24 hours a
day, seven days a week, excessive amount of trash and unusual amounts
of boxes and bottles brought into the house are various signs on a
Meth lab.

"We're pushing our awareness of this drug because we don't want to end
up with the problems like they're having in the United States. If you
see something suspicious, take down a license plate number and pass
any information you have on to the RCMP. Let us know what's happening
in the community. We have to stay ahead of this," said Anderson.