SUMMIT TO DISCUSS METH CRISIS

VANCOUVER -- Ice, jib, glass or speed, whatever street name it may
take, experts agree the highly addictive drug crystal meth is a
terrifying problem in North America. Now, hundreds of those experts
are converging on Vancouver this week for a conference to address the
escalating crystal meth crisis.

More than 250 delegates, health-care workers, police and social
service providers are meeting for the first western summit on
Methamphetamine.

"This is quite a milestone and accomplishment," said Kathleen Butler,
spokeswoman for Vancouver Coastal Health, one of the sponsors of the
event.

"It's the first time ever that stakeholders from across Western Canada
are meeting to look at this and develop an approach."

Dubbed the Dark Crystal by many, the drug can be bought for as cheap
as $5 a hit and the effects can last for days, keeping users awake and
sleep-deprived.

But even more unsettling is the slew of over-the-counter chemicals the
synthetic stimulant - increasingly popular with high school youth -
can be made from.

Battery acid, brake fluid, floor stripper and flammable retardants
found in fireworks are just a few of the ready-made products that make
up the glass-like shards that users usually smoke or snort.

"It's so addictive," said Rob Morgan, a spokesman for the Vancouver
Area Network of Drug Users. Morgan has tried crystal meth himself. "It
scared the hell out of me."

Morgan recalled yesterday how he has watched friends of his who live
in Vancouver's drug-ridden downtown eastside destroy their lives
because of the vile drug.

VANDU will have a crystal meth committee attending the conference to
address the problem of addiction, Morgan said.

The drug first became popular in the rave scene but has spread to
mainstream use across social strata, from high school youth to
professionals, according to the city's methamphetamine response committee.

MARC is comprised of community and civic agencies in
Vancouver.

The dangers include elevated blood pressure and risk of stroke.
Symptoms include anxiety, depression, mental confusion and violence.
Long-term use may lead to permanent psychotic symptoms.

The results of the summit will be used in a guidance document that
will show communities how they can best tackle the problems of use and
production.

Delegates will focus on five key questions ranging on issues from
health solutions to law enforcement concerns.

The summit is jointly funded by the B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and
Manitoba governments.