SURVEY SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON ALBERTA METH PROBLEM

Red Deer...

Methamphetamine is extremely harmful to those who use it, is viewed as
more harmful than alcohol and other drugs, and is believed to be a
greater problem in Edmonton than in other areas.

Those were some of the findings of a Canadian Community Epidemiology
Network on Drug Use survey released today during the Alberta
Methamphetamine Workshop in Red Deer.

*The survey, funded by Public Security Emergency Preparedness Canada,
collected the views and perceptions of more than 430 Albertans
interested in the issue of crystal methamphetamine's production, use,
treatment and prevention.*

Other findings included:

* meth is harmful to users and those exposed to production

* meth is more harmful than alcohol and other illicit
drugs

* 25 percent believe crystal meth is currently a problem in their
community and easy to obtain

* Edmonton and northern Alberta are believed to have larger meth
problems than Calgary and southern Alberta

* respondents estimated that about 15 percent of Albertans have used
meth at least once and about nine percent use it regularly, with the
highest rates among youth and young adults

* 62 percent believe meth should be part of a larger strategy to
address alcohol and illicit drugs while 38 percent believe it should
be dealt with as a separate drug.

"It is vital to understand that any data source has its limitations
and this study is no different," said the survey's author Dr. Cameron
Wild of the University of Alberta. "But what we have tried to do is
collect the perceptions of a wide spectrum of people instead of just
looking at subgroups like those in health services, addiction
treatment, law enforcement or users themselves."

"The survey findings provide an important overview of the concern
Albertans have about the dangers of methamphetamine," said Solicitor
General Heather Forsyth. "We're determined to stay ahead of the
problem and knowing how Albertans feel will be helpful to everyone
involved in the fight against the use of this devastating substance."

The workshop is being hosted by the Alberta Solicitor General and the
Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission. Like the survey
respondents, those attending the workshop come from a range of
backgrounds including law enforcement and other first responders,
health care professionals including drug abuse treatment specialists,
social service workers, justice officials, educators, recovering
methamphetamine users and their families, community agencies and all
levels of government.