COUNTY HEARS ABOUT METH PROBLEM

It seems everybody these days is talking about methamphetamine and its
availability to people in Yellowhead County.

With Edson forming a new drug coalition, it was only a matter of time
before Yellowhead County council was approached to help with the new
drug task force. Edson RCMP Corp. Glenn Henry presented meth
information to council at its committee of the whole meeting Oct. 20.

Henry mostly relayed information from the meth meeting held in Edson
Oct. 8 but he couldn't divulge all information at the meeting.

"It's not in our best interest to talk candidly with the media
present. It is a complex issue but I will give you a basic overview,"
Henry said.

He explained the first meth case he'd seen when he moved to Edson and
how the problem has gotten progressively worse.

"I don't know of anyone in the Edson area that has recovered from meth
use," he said.

With an undercover operation bringing down a $30,000 meth operation in
an Edson hotel room this May, Henry said the drug is here and is here
to stay unless the community becomes involved.

"The police can't do this alone, it's still a community problem," he
said.

The Edson committee is comprised of 27 people, with six being
appointed to a steering committee to oversee direction of the group.

Edson isn't alone in its idea of a meth coalition, Hinton and Drayton
Valley have also set up drug abuse committees and Evansburg has one of
a smaller scale, said Debbie Charest, director of community services
for Yellowhead County.

"(The meth problem) is not new, what's new is it is being more
visible. It is in the public eye and the community needs to be
involved," Charest added.

Edson's initial coordinated meeting on Oct. 8 was a brainstorming
session and when the committee meets again Nov. 3, there will be more
on the table to discuss.

"We're trying to increase public awareness, have an open dialogue,
strategic planning and solicit governments for support of local
initiatives," Henry said.

But the meth problem was brought to health officials' attention June
9, when the Aspen Regional Health Authority received a study of what
people in the region thought the major health concerns were in the
area.

"The Number 1 problem in this area was drug use or abuse," Henry
said.

To help combat the meth problem, Henry said the county should be made
aware of the committee and input information or support as it concerns
everyone in the county.

"I know in dialogue with your constituents, you've heard about break
and enters, vehicle thefts and gatherings - all of which are mostly
related to drug use," Henry said.

There have been drug users targetted in the Niton, Marlboro and
Gainford areas, Henry said, adding people come into the area from the
city hoping to sell their product.

"Meth comes in from the city on its way to Jasper and B.C., but it is
likely being produced here as well," he added.

Reeve Doug Kopp was concerned about the meth problem but suggested the
county partner with all three coalitions and not just Edson's, as the
entire county is affected. "It should be a coordinated plan," he said.

Coun. Gary Conger supported the Edson coalition but wanted council to
take an active role.

"I'd say we draft letters to the Hinton, Edson and Drayton Valley
groups in efforts to cooperate with them," Conger said.

"A start is good - at this stage we try to move forward with community
support," Henry said.

"I want something started that is bigger than everyone here in this
room," he added.

Nov. 3 is the next meeting but Jan. 27 is the meeting where funding
talks will begin and subcommittees will form, Henry said, Council will
also come into play when subcommittees are needed.

"We strongly support this initiative," Kopp said.

"Our initiative, our problem," Henry added.

Council moved the meth presentation for information.

What is meth?

Many people don't know how serious the meth problem is in the region.
Here is some background information on the drug.

Street names for meth

Street names for meth include speed, ice, crystal meth, crank, glass,
grit, fast, quick and jib.

Meth is a central nervous system stimulant that causes the
neurotransmitters dopmine, noradrenaline and serotonin to be released
from nerve endings into the brain, causing pleasurable sensations. As
well, it inhibits the re-uptake of dopamine. Meth causes nerve cells
to fire and amplifies the existing nerve activity.

After experiencing the high, the user crashes. But, because it is
highly addictive, the user becomes dependent because of the rapid
reward and the rapid crash. Two distinct patterns emerge:

. Chronic periodic use. User takes hits or puffs of meth throughout
the day, stopping early enough to sleep at night.

. Binge use. Users will administer the drug for several days at a time
without sleeping, gradually increasing the dose. When they run out of
the drug or their brains can no longer respond, they crash and rest.

Long-term effects

Long-term effects include long term brain damage, moodiness and
irritability, anxiousness, aggressive behaviour with increased
likelihood of violent behaviour, hallucinations and other behaviour
that resembles paraniod schizophrenia, paranoia, confusion, insomnia,
malnutrition, dental problems and many others.