VICTORIA TO TACKLE CRYSTAL METH ISSUE

Methamphetamine-known on the streets as crystal meth, crank, glass or
zip-is the strongest amphetamine, and the one causing serious concerns
in the Lower Mainland. More people have sought help for amphetamine
abuse in the last five years in the Fraser Health Authority, which
stretches from Burnaby to Boston Bar, than any other region in B.C.,
according to a provincial report.

One health official estimates that up to 20 per cent of drug abusers
are hooked on meth, with an increasing number of young women in the
clutches of the drug.

This week, Victoria announced a new strategy to deal with the
potentially deadly drug. The report reveals that the use and related
deaths from this toxic drug are increasing, and the number of people
who seek help for addictions to amphetamines in B.C. has climbed, from
four per cent of those seeking help for addictions five years ago to
11 per cent today.

Victoria's figures suggest 934 people in the FHA sought help for
amphetamine use in 2001, 825 in 2002, and 766 in 2003. The overall
numbers for amphetamine abuse in the Fraser Health region are probably
comparable to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, says addictions
leader Sherry Mumford.

Every year since 1999, the FHA has had higher numbers of people
seeking help from community addictions workers for amphetamine abuse
than any other health authority in B.C., the report indicates.

Mumford said addiction workers in the area have seen an increase in
drug users seeking help for crystal meth abuse; she estimates up to 20
per cent of clients are using meth, more than provincial numbers
suggest. Street youth, the gay and lesbian population, rave
participants, and women of child-bearing age have been identified as
potential high-risk groups "Women, especially young women, are
certainly a high-risk population, specifically because of crystal
meth's ability to curb the appetite for weight loss," she says.
"Certainly women are starting to come to the forefront of what you
would call meth users."

Methamphetamine releases a rush of chemicals into areas of the brain
that control feelings of pleasure. It increases wakefulness and
physical activity and decreases appetite. It can be snorted,
swallowed, injected or smoked. It's cheap to buy and easy to make
using over-the-counter ingredients in at-home labs and by organized
crime groups. There is a unique danger in using crystal meth because
it leads to psychosis in some users. This can take the form of
paranoia, hallucinations and delusions, which in turn can lead to
homicidal and suicidal thoughts.

Last week, the provincial government unveiled a new strategy to combat
crystal meth addiction, promising to inform the public, make
communities safer, identify high-risk populations, reduce harm, and
increase the skills of service providers.

B.C. Minister of State for Mental Health and Addiction Services, Susan
Brice, said initial discussions have begun with retailers and
pharmacies to limit access to medications that can be used in at-home
labs to produce crystal meth.

Pharmacists and several large retail outlets in Alberta recently
placed cold medications containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine
behind the counter to better control and monitor the sale of these
products.

Victoria also plans to implement an education program for women of
child-bearing age. There is concern pregnant women who use crystal
meth may unknowingly harm their unborn children, Brice said.

To get help, call Narcotics Anonymous at 604 873-1018.