METH DANGERS

Re: Gangs cost everyone,

Crystal meth has come to Grande Prairie. I believe it could easily lead to
gang like behaviour.

Anyone willing to mix the explosive poison together and heat it until it
forms crystals in his or her home could become a dealer. But the people who
are addicted to it become very desperate and resort to stealing to pay for
their habit.

When they are very addicted they become paranoid, staying awake for days at
a time. Brain damage occurs.

These "tweakers" are dangerous to be around and can become violent. Broken
light bulbs in a home are used to inhale this mixture. People lose large
amounts of weight.

A person I met recently described the loss of his son last month after his
son had been a user for only about six months. His body was found floating
in the North Saskatchewan River.

Often he purchased his drugs and sold his stolen items in smaller towns.

I believe the general population needs to be educated about this drug and
learn to be on the lookout for it in their communities. This man's heart is
broken. He wishes he would have known more about crystal meth. He believes
all school children need to be educated about it so that they don't even
try it. It is a very difficult drug to get off of and the brain damaging
effect lasts for months and years.

Manuela Campbell