METH IS BAD NEWS FOR PRINCETON

The recent discovery of meth-amphetamines in Princeton means the time
to pass of the town's drug problem as not something that affects
everyone has gone. These particular kinds of drugs are deadly to the
spirit and health of a community. Unlike marijuana, meth carries with
it social evils that can not just be shrugged off. Quite often when
the drug appears in a town the next step is serious problems with
violence as the drug can trigger violent behaviour in its users.

It is not a "gateway drug" it is the drug that lies after the gate,
and unfortunately many young people do not understand the effects this
drug can have on them. Ever been to the Downtown Eastside of
Vancouver? Well, many of the sometimes frightening individuals you see
there are hooked on meth-amphetamines. Some variations of the drug
have been known to physically eat holes in the brains of users.

Often, as is the case with many hard drugs, the drug can bring
gang-style ware-fare into an area where it's being produced. In the
early 90s a variant known as crystal meth became very popular in the
Lower Mainland. I witnessed many people I knew harm themselves by
smoking marijuana laced with the chemical. One fellow, after a hit,
ran across a field and dove head first into a four inch deep creek.
Another passed out in the locker room after smoking it. Last I had
heard, one of the most notorious drug users form my junior high school
was found dead in an alley in East Vancouver after being strung out on
meth-amphetamines and heroin for two years.

This is a serious drug and to defend Princeton against it will take
serious action in the form of citizens working with the police.
Currently an hour and a half up the road in Penticton, the drug has
become the number one choice among drug users. It can easily migrate
to Princeton. We in Princeton do not need this kind of soul destroying
chemical in our community.

I'm Jeremy J. Nuttall