CRYSTAL METH AND CRIME

Crystal meth is associated with a host of criminal activities,
including theft, assault and the illegal production of the drug.

Some community members believe there has been an increase in petty
crime associated with crystal meth in the Lower Mainland.

A recently released study on auto crime in Surrey found that at least
70 per cent of Surrey auto thieves are chronic methamphetamine users.
Police believe many offenders are replacing cocaine and heroin with
meth.

Cpl. Scott Rintoul works with the RCMP drug awareness section, and has
studied the drug scene in the Lower Mainland for six years.

"We know now methamphetamine is everywhere," said Rintoul, adding it
has gone from being a social drug (used at raves and clubs) to one
affecting the homeless, students and blue collar workers.

Termed the "working man's cocaine," meth is popular with shift workers
because it gives them energy and stamina.

Meanwhile, meth labs are a spin-off problem. Dozens of operations are
busted every year in B.C. Most are in the Lower Mainland, said
Rintoul. Labs can be built and abandoned quickly, and can be assembled
in homes, hotel rooms, garages and even the back seats of cars. A
homemade lab can produce large quantities of the drug in just a few
hours.

Because the chemicals used to produce meth are so volatile (including
ammonia, battery acid and paint thinner), crude labs present an
increased risk of fires and explosions.