THE METH MADNESS

A powerful street drug is turning Central Albertans into thieves and
contributing to a higher crime rate, say experts.

Methamphetamine, also known as meth, crystal and speed, put its grip on an
increasing number of Red Deer and area residents in the past year.

AADAC counsellor Tom Smith said people battling addictions to the drug now
make up about one-quarter of his caseload at the Red Deer AADAC office.

The number seen by Smith has surpassed crack cocaine users to become the
second most common after alcoholics.

A highly addictive stimulant, meth is relatively plentiful because it's
easily made using inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients.

Meth costs from $60 to $150 per gram, depending on the dealer, said Steve
Walton, a retired drug detective with the Calgary police force who now
educates Central Alberta youth.

It can be less expensive than powdered cocaine, costing $80 to $120 per
gram. Crack cocaine is $50 to $200 per gram.

Meth is seen as giving a "bigger bang for your buck" because its effects
can last up to 16 hours and they begin shortly after taking it, said Smith.
By comparison, a crack cocaine high can last 20 minutes to one hour.

Once addicted, meth users often can't afford to pay for their habit,
especially if they're using large quantities. Some turn to crime.

"I've had clients say when you're in the throes of it, it's almost like you
lose your conscience. You are prepared to do anything for the drug," said
Smith.

"There seems to be a desperation with methamphetamine-addicted people to
get and use the drug."

The number of property crimes - including theft, fraud and break-ins - rose
by 53 per cent in the first 11 months of this year in Red Deer.

Property crime accounted for 59 per cent of all crime in Red Deer. There
were 8,820 property crimes in the 11 months, compared with 5,780 during the
same time last year.

One of the largest increases was the theft of motor vehicles, which nearly
doubled to 947 from 512.

Crimes against people also rose, including robberies, which jumped nine per
cent to a total of 73.

Walton, a retired police sergeant, said there is a definite link between
high methamphetamine use and high crime rates.

"I consider methamphetamine to be the most dangerous street drug," he said,
adding users can turn to crime and even become violent.

The use of meth is rising throughout North America. According to AADAC, the
drug is having its third wave of popularity across the continent. The wave
could end like the others, with public education and law enforcement, said
AADAC.

Meth is the stimulant drug of choice in the northern half of Alberta, north
of Hwy 12 which goes through Lacombe, said Walton. South of Hwy 12, the
stimulant drug of choice is crack cocaine.

In the Red Deer area, the most widespread stimulant drugs are meth, crack
cocaine and ecstasy, said Walton, lead drug instructor with the Central
Alberta PARTY (Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth) program.

City RCMP laid five charges of trafficking meth in the first 11 months of
the year, compared with three in the same time 2002 period.

While RCMP are seeing more meth on the streets, they believe cocaine
continues to be more widespread in Red Deer, said Cpl. Buck Buchanan.

Buchanan said meth and cocaine are linked to the rising crime rate, but
they are just part of the problem. Any addiction can lead to crime, and
other factors, such as a court system that is too soft on criminals, also
play a part, he said.

Meth is a white, odourless, crystalline powder that dissolves in water or
other drinks. It can be snorted, smoked or taken in a tablet form.

The drug was developed early this century from its parent drug amphetamine
and was originally used in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers,
according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse in the United States. The
drug increases activity, decreases appetite and creates a general sense of
well-being.

The drug works by elevating the level of neurotransmitters including
serotonin and dopamine in the brain, said Smith.

Studies have suggested the drug damages brain cells and interferes with the
natural production of serotonin and dopamine. Recovering addicts could end
up suffering long-term depression and learning problems related to
short-term memory difficulties.

Those problems could produce a powerful compulsion to use meth again, said
Craig Staniforth, manager of Red Deer's AADAC office. AADAC is seeing
people from various backgrounds and into their 30s with addictions to meth.

"It seems to be across all walks of life. Some people fall into the use on
a casual experimental basis and use it a few times and get addicted," said
Smith.