METH A GROWING DRUG CONCERN ACROSS PROVINCE

The battle against drugs continues to get more difficult with the
introduction of D-methamphetamine to the streets of Alberta.

This new, easily made and cheaply acquired drug has the police very worried
for the future and with good cause. A cheap, addictive drug is exactly what
the drug underworld has been searching for.

Cocaine hit the streets in the late 70s and early 80s and quickly became
the drug of choice because of its addictive power. The cost, however, was
restrictive. Along comes crack, a cocaine derivative that made the
processing of cocaine cheaper and easier. In no time, crack became the drug
of choice.

D-methamphetamine is easier and cheaper to produce than either cocaine or
crack. The process is fairly simple, yet dangerous. The street price makes
this drug accessible to a very large number of drug users, notably younger
drug users, and the addictive power suggests this will be a long battle for
police and drug support agencies.

Vauxhall has yet to see meth use become a major problem on the street, but
without preventative measures being taken it soon could be.

Education, especially among young people, will be key in keeping meth off
Vauxhall streets. Getting the message out that meth is both highly
addictive and extremely dangerous will help stem the flow of the drug into
Vauxhall. If that message is not given, people will not hesitate for a
second to try this new, cheap thrill