METH USERS GIVE NEW NAME TO PARACHUTING

Parachuting is a method of ingesting crystal meth by wrapping it in
paper and swallowing it. The reason? No burning sensation in the
esophagus on the way down. RCMP "K" Division Drug Awareness Service
member Sgt. Ian Sanderson provided this insight into a meth user's
practice during a presentation to frontline workers in Camrose on
November 25.

The professional development day drew upwards of 70 people from inside
and outside Battle River region, including frontline workers from
Camrose, Edmonton, Provost, Red Deer, Wainwright and Wetaskiwin. The
purpose of the meeting was to increase awareness and education on meth
and addictions, and to discuss treatment and support options for
communities and users.

The perils of meth and its impact on users, families and communities
was one element in a day of presentations by representatives of AADAC,
East Central Alberta Child and Family Services and the Battle River
Drug Response Task Force.

Additional topics presented included: treatment options for users;
multi-disciplinary support teams; key components necessary for
communities responding positively to substance abuse; and the Task Force's
recently completed handbook, Responding to Youth Involved
with Drugs: A Guide for Working Together.

Over the past year, the Task Force has been presenting accurate
information regarding the drug to students, teachers, front-line
staff, parents and community members. Recently Task Force members,
including chairperson Kerry Laberge and a 17-year-old youth recovering
from meth, gave a presentation to Standing Policy Committee at the
Alberta Legislature. The group hopes that MLAs will support the
development of an Alberta-wide response, and the necessary resources
to better support youth and their families as they struggle with this
dirty drug.