TESTS SHOW METH IN SEIZED DRUGS

RCMP have issued a public warning that drug analysis of recent
seizures shows cocaine and ecstacy have been laced with
methamphetamine.

The danger, according to police, is that studies have shown that as
little as two exposures to meth result in a 97 per cent chance of addiction.

"We don't know if it's (meth) made here or in Calgary," said Cpl. Mike
Stourac. "But we have heard of it happening in the area before."

One of the problems with meth, said Banff General Investigations
Service Cst. Kevin Misiwich, is that, "everyone has different
thresholds for addiction. For some, the first time could mean
addiction, for others, three or four times."

Worse yet, says Misiwich, is that there is really no way for a street
purchaser to know whether drugs they are using have been cut with
meth. "Whenever you're dealing with street-level drugs, they're always
cut with something else like baking soda or, in this case, meth.

"In that lifestyle, you are inherently taking a lot of risks and
that's why it's so scary for teens, say, or anybody, to be
experimenting with ecstasy. A lot of the ingredients of what's in
those drugs - ammonium, red sulphur used in matches and flares - are
coming from pretty toxic substances.

"People can get a very substantial and addictive high and that's the
risk you take."

According to Misiwich, today's meth is the speed of the 1960s, but
modern production methods have purified the properties of the drug.
"The effect is exponentially increased and may last six to 10 hours,
rather than the 15 to 20 minutes of coke."

As far as policework goes, meth users often show signs of high
paranoia and can be extremely unpredictable and violent. Police must
use a calm approach in apprehension, because even the light from
police flashlights can trigger a violent episode.

And the drug is not jurisdictional, said Misiwich. Drugs make their
way between Banff and Canmore, so there is always the possibility of
purchasing and using meth-cut drugs.

"Don't do drugs is the moral of the story," said Misiwich.