SEDUCTIVE CRYSTAL METH: DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ITS PULL ON YOUTH

"Meth use overblown, says study"(Feb. 22): This sounds familiar -- I
remember a few years back when the Edmonton police said there was very
little, if any, gang activity in the city.

I wonder if Ann Goldblatt(researcher quoted in the article) would feel the
same if her son, daughter, niece or nephew was using meth.

Here's just a little story for those people who think that if just a few
people are using a certain drug, then we don't need to get alarmed, yet.

There's a new gal in town and she's coming after you. She's alluring and
addictive. Her name -- Crystal Meth. Her target is anyone, anywhere,
especially in rural Alberta. She might start out as a cheap date, but once
she sinks her hooks into you, she's got you for the long haul. What starts
out as a dare or an adventure becomes an expensive, life-threatening habit.
Pretty soon you can't eat, can't sleep; all you can think about is "her."
You try to get free, but detox is a long and lonely road. Your friends and
family no longer wish to have you around; you are just too paranoid and
dangerous. You have long since lost your job, your car and all of your
belongings. You ask yourself -- is she worth it? -- but it is too late.
Most people are addicted after the first or second time.

But, hey, most of us are pretty safe. We are in no danger of even trying
this popular street drug -- right?

Remember that the next time your vehicle is stolen, your home is broken
into, or you are viciously attacked for whatever someone can steal from
you. We need to get serious about this drug now. We need to find these
"meth" houses and destroy them. We need to put anyone who makes this drug
or sells this drug behind bars for a long, long time. Ask yourself -- who
is Crystal's next cheap date? It could be your son or daughter or mine.
Yes, there's a new gal in town and she's here to stay, IF we let her!

Linda Klym, Sherwood Park