METH HIGH HIGHEST IN FRASER HA

Victoria Vows To Tackle Drug Claiming More Youth Than Ever

More people in Fraser Health Authority have sought help for amphetamine
abuse in the last five years than anywhere else in B.C., according to a
provincial report.

Methamphetamine-known on the street as crystal meth, crank, glass or zip-is
the strongest amphetamine and the one causing serious concerns in the Lower
Mainland.

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

This week, Victoria announced a strategy to deal with the potentially
deadly drug.

In just two years, crystal meth has overtaken cocaine as the third most
popular drug (after alcohol and marijuana) in the FHA.

The report revealed 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 addiction five years ago to 11 per cent today.

Victoria's figures suggest 934 people in FHA sought help for amphetamine
use in 2001; 825 in 2002 and 766 in 2003. Every year since 1999, FHA has
had higher numbers of people seeking help from community addictions workers
for amphetamine abuse than any other health authority in B.C.

Addictions leader Sherry Mumford noted FHA is the largest health region in
B.C. (serving 1.44 million people) and has the highest percentage of youth.

"You would expect numbers to be comparatively higher here."

FHA's overall numbers for amphetamine abuse are probably comparable to
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, she said.

Mumford estimates up to 20 per cent of FHA's addictions clients are using
meth, more than provincial numbers suggest.

She said street youth, the gay and lesbian population, rave participants
and women of child-bearing age have been identified as high-risk groups.

"Women, especially young women, are a high-risk population, specifically
because of crystal meth's ability to curb the appetite for weight loss.
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 and easy to make using over-the-counter ingredients.

While no one municipality stands out as a hotbed of crystal meth use,
Mumford said certain areas do have more problems with the drug, including
Fraser East (Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Hope, Mission), Whalley, parts of
Langley and pockets in the Tri-Cities area.

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

B.C. Minister of State for Addiction Services Susan Brice said discussions
have begun with retailers and pharmacies to limit access to medications
used to produce crystal meth.

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

Victoria 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.

Elementary and secondary schools will also step up education programs
directed at preventing drug use.

Getting help

Narcotics Anonymous 604-873-1018

Launching Pad Recovery Society 604-536-3022

Mental Health Crisis Line 604-951-8855

The Front Room 604-589-7777

Surrey Community Services 604-584-5811