SMALL COMMUNITIES 'AWASH' IN METH

Barb was only 14 years old the first time she smoked d-methamphetamine with
friends in her rural home town.

The euphoria was so intense her life soon revolved around getting high on
the powerful and highly addictive drug that is sweeping into Alberta's
small towns and cities.

But soon the euphoria was replaced with delusions, hallucinations and
paranoia. Eventually Barb (not her real name) became alienated from her
family, left school and began questioning her sanity.

''I kind of knew right away that I was addicted to it. It made me really
happy,'' said Barb, now 17, who eventually received psychiatric treatment
and rehabilitation.

''I thought I could do anything. I thought I was, like, invincible.''

But there were other effects.

''I felt sometimes like I was going to die when I was on it. I ran after
one of my friends with a knife. You're crazy.''

Police experts call d-methamphetamine a dangerous scourge. At $5 to $7 per
''point,'' users can get high for up to 15 hours for less than the price of
a pack of cigarettes.

The drug, which is 10 times more powerful than regular speed, is so easy to
make police have found makeshift labs in people's basements, garages and
even in cars.

''It's alarming. You have small communities that are awash in this drug,''
said Sgt. Ian Sanderson, an RCMP drug expert in Edmonton.

''Kids as young as 11 are seeking meth treatment. The violence tends to
come with these individuals when they are on their way down and become
paranoid. It just destroys families.''

Police say meth has already shown up in Edmonton and smaller communities
such as Edson, Drayton Valley, Leduc, Bonnyville, Hinton, Evansburg,
Camrose and Fort McMurray.

Originating in California, the drug known on the street as ice, meth and
crystal has spread north and west.

Alberta Solicitor General Heather Forsyth will examine the war against meth
use in the United States first-hand next week. She is set to meet police
and drug experts in San Diego, Phoenix and Denver.

''National or provincial boundaries do not stop the spread of this drug,''
Forsyth said. ''The mission will help Alberta remain ahead of the problem
instead of behind it.''

Camrose, about 65 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, faced the problem with
a special task force and education programs in schools.

The first indication they had of a meth problem was a sharp increase in
property crimes such as break-ins and behaviour problems in classrooms,
said Kerry Laberge, a principal who helped lead the task force.

Laberge is calling on the Alberta government to bolster meth treatment
facilities in rural areas and to develop a comprehensive strategy to deal
with the drug.