DRUGS SPIKED WITH METH IN BOW VALLEY

Drug dealers out to boost profits are lacing cocaine and ecstasy
tablets with methamphetamine to stretch their supplies and hook
unsuspecting people.

After receiving a tip illegal drugs were being spiked with highly
addictive meth and then sold in Banff, the RCMP began to diligently
test any drugs seized in town and discovered several batched had been laced.

"Unscrupulous drug dealers do it to save money," said Cpl. Mike
Stourac, who said meth is 10 per cent the cost of the other drugs.
"There's also another drug dealer faction using it to hook
unsuspecting people on meth."

Police suspect the tainted drugs were both made in Banff and
imported into town already laced with meth from other areas.

While the RCMP has not discovered any meth labs in Banff, Stourac
suspects there probably are ones that have yet to be busted.

Compared to cocaine, meth gives the user a longer, more intense
high. It can keep the user awake for days and gives them lots of
energy but when the effects wear off the withdrawal symptoms are
intense, leading to addiction as the need for a renewed high increases.

"It's really probably the most dangerous drug in the world right
now," Stourac said. "It's literally fighting chemical warfare."

Spencer Schneider, area supervisor for The Alberta Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Commission, said using any amount of meth poses the risk of
addiction and prolonged use risks brain damage.

"It's quite an addictive drug. I don't think there's a magic number
of hits that make you addicted," he said. "There's risk factors
present automatically (with drug use) but the risk factors are
ramped up dramatically when there's something in there that you're
not aware of."

Police are urging people to be cautious after the meth discovery but
are concerned few will heed the warning despite the added risk involved.

Methamphetamine is known by various streets names such as speed,
crystal meth and chalk. According to Health Canada, snorting or
swallowing the drug produces a euphoria that can last four to 12
hours or more.

An overdose can results in hypothermia, convulsions and death.

Banff RCMP has executed 27 drug related search warrants this year
and over the last two months has had three separate drug seizures.