CRYSTAL METH USE ON THE RISE

Lac du Bonnet Leader -- Lac du Bonnet RCMP are concerned about the
rising level of crystal meth use in the area.

Cpl. Stu Evans says three seizures of the drug made over the last
couple of months indicate increased use, especially among young
people. Evans says kids as young as 14 are experimenting with crystal
meth, which has the potential to be extremely dangerous.

The drug made headlines in September after Lac du Bonnet business
owner Rodger Bruneau, 42, and Leslie Dyke, 32, of Lac du Bonnet, were
among 10 Manitobans arrested in a nation-wide methamphetamine bust.

Crystal meth is the street term for methamphetamine, a central nervous
system stimulant. The drug produces a powerful "upper" similar in
effect to cocaine, generating feelings of euphoria and elation in the
user. It is sold on the street as a pink-coloured powder that looks
similar to rock candy. It can be smoked, snorted, swallowed, and injected.

Evans says the drug is attractive to a lot of young people because it
produces a powerful high at a relatively low price -- a 'hit' of
crystal meth costs as little as $20, compared to around $100 for crack
cocaine.

"It's referred to as "the poor man's crack cocaine,' " says Evans.
"It's become the Number 1 drug of choice in Western Canada."

The drug is highly addictive, with users requiring more and more of it
in order to achieve the same high they got when they first began using
it.

As if that wasn't concerning enough, Evans says crystal meth produces
a serious health concern -- producers are using poisonous chemicals
when making it, which can cause a variety of potentially fatal health
problems.

Samples of seized crystal meth have been found to contain engine
fluid, ammonia, battery acid and Drano, to name only a few.

These chemicals are used to 'cut' the drug in order to produce large
amounts for a low cost.

"The guys cooking this stuff don't give a care," says
Evans.

"And the people ingesting it have no idea what they're putting into
their bodies."

A 27-year-old crystal meth user in Winnipeg, who requested anonymity,
says the quality of the drug has decreased in recent months due to
increased use.

"A lot of people just want to make money fast. They cut corners and
make a crappy product," she says.

"You can tell by looking at it. It has a certain colour and certain
smell. If it's too chemical-tasting, you know they put something bad
in it."

After doing the drug for around three years, she has noticed the drop
in quality over the past six months, noting the drug often has a
yellow tinge. The decrease in quality has also affected her
physically, more so than in the past.

"Sometimes your skin will change colour," she says.

"And you just feel more rattled. Your brain has a hard time
focusing."

Although she has never become addicted to crystal meth, and only does
the drug every couple of months, she has seen frightening side-effects
that she says should make people think twice about using the drug.

"I've seen it effect people really badly. One guy I saw was sitting in
a corner with a blanket around him looking shifty-eyed at everybody."

Evans says it's important for parents to keep their eyes open if they
suspect their children may be using the drug.

Physical changes are readily apparent is those using it heavily --
hyperactivity, paranoia, weight loss, and aggressiveness are some of
the common signals that someone is addicted to crystal meth.

Prolonged use can result in brain damage, panic disorder, and
psychosis.

Evans says police are actively seeking counselling for young users,
and that criminal records are not actively pursued for kids using the
drug.

"We want to prosecute the people selling it to them," says Evans. "The
people selling this stuff to our kids are the scum of the earth."