PARENTS GET DOSAGE OF DRUG INFORMATION

A handful of parents were at Sangudo High School on Tuesday, April 15 to
discuss a growing issue in the communities running along Highway 43- drugs.

Seguin was at the school explaining how parents can help in the fight
against this growing epidemic.

"There are drug problems everywhere, but a resolve can begin by identifying
the sources, and that makes our jobs easier," says Seguin. And keeping an
eye on the kids at lunch to make sure they're not given the opportunity to
purchase the drugs, talking to your kids about drugs and keep a watchful eye
on people in your community are some of the best ways to combat the problem,
Seguin says.

"Edmonton and Whitecourt are both large centres for drugs, and because of
this many drugs are shipped using Highway 43," says Cst. Clayton Segiun of
the Mayerthorpe RCMP detachment.

Seguin met with the parents to discuss ways that members of the community
can help in the fight against drugs in their neighbourhood. "There are three
main drugs that are being used in this area- Cannabis, Crystal Meth
(Methamphetamine) and Cocaine," says Seguin. Cannabis is created from the
cannabis plant with the active ingredient being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
It comes in two main forms, marijuana (the dried leaves and female flower
heads) and hashish, compressed blocks of resin extracted from the plant. Its
effects include giggliness, introspective dreaminess, increased appreciation
for ordinary objects or music, sleepiness and time distortion. Physically,
bloodshot eyes and a dry mouth are common symptoms. THC can be detected in a
chronic user up to 12 weeks after use.

Crystal Meth, also referred to as speed, is highly addictive and a dangerous
stimulant. These drugs are gaining in popularity because of their low cost
and length of high, and are sold in powder, pill, and capsule forms that can
be inhaled through the nose, swallowed, or injected. The paraphernalia
associated with inhaling speed are razor blades, mirrors, straws, and rolled
dollar bills, and the paraphernalia associated with injecting the drug
include syringes, spoons, and surgical tubing, bandannas, or a belt used to
constrict the vein.

"This drug is getting easier and easier to make. The recipes are on the
Internet, all they have to do is find the right site," says Seguin, adding
it can also be very dangerous to make.

"There's been times when RCMP have had to go inside a home that has been
making Meth and unplug the refrigerator because even the slightest little
flicker of electricity as the light in the refrigerator going on could be
enough to cause a huge explosion."

And Seguin says recently there were drugs stolen from a pharmacy in Sangudo
that were consistent with the drugs used to create Meth. Some tips that your
child may be on speed are weight loss, a tendency for the child to stay in
his or her room more often, missing light bulbs used to smoke the drug, a
change of habits and trading personal items, such as car stereos.

The third, Cocaine, is also a powerfully addictive drug which causes
immediate euphoric effects, including hyper-stimulation, reduced fatigue,
and mental clarity. It is a strong central nervous system stimulant that
interferes with the re-absorption process of dopamine, a chemical messenger
associated with pleasure and movement. Dopamine is released as part of the
brain's reward system and is involved in the high that characterizes cocaine
consumption. Physical effects of cocaine use include constricted peripheral
blood vessels, dilated pupils, and increased temperature, heart rate, and
blood pressure.

Seguin says although cocaine used to be the "rich man's drug" it is now more
available, and can be bought in smaller amounts for the weekend.

Like Methamphetamine, it is highly addictive, because it's incredible highs
which last 15 to 30 minutes, are directly followed with extreme lows,
including severe depression and increased sleep. So to ward off these
effects, users will attempt to continue the high. "It's a viscious cycle,"
and unfortunately, Cst. Seguin says Jr. High kids are the most affected in
the area.

"We are seeing that at the age of 13 and 14 this is where the kids are
coming into contact with these drugs," says Seguin, adding from what the
RCMP have encountered, there seems to be a higher ratio of boys involved in
drugs than girls.

But the new law prohibiting people under the age of 18 from smoking in
public places has made the RCMP's job much easier. "Now if we see kids with
smoke near them at all, it gives us grounds to actually take them in and
search them.

"And if we happen to find drugs in the process, that's a great bonus," says
Seguin.

And when it comes to finding drugs, he says the RCMP don't play favourites.

"If I find a kid with one joint or a bag, they're both the same to me," says
Seguin.

But kids having drugs isn't the only issue, says Seguin.

"We need to go straight to the root of the problem-the dealers."

And Seguin says dealers are common in rural areas like Sangudo and
Mayerthorpe.

"Usually the kids are buying drugs from someone at the school, who is
actually getting their drugs from a distributor."

And unfortunately, says Seguin, these distributors are usually adults.

"Rural communities are more adept to having growing operations because it is
easier to steal power, gas and lighting and they are easier to hide," Seguin
explains.

Some clues to a property that may be being used as a growing operation is
covered windows, suspicious/secretive visitors coming in and out of property
on a fairly regular basis, watering systems being constructed on the
premises, plastic pots or CO2 tanks, loud exhaust or humidifier fans being
used, an unusual, skunky smell, heavy deodorants or air fresheners being
used on the property or in vehicles, high electricity bills or power
generators other than electricity being used.

So if the RCMP know all of this, why is it so difficult to catch these
criminals?

"If I don't have concrete proof then I cant do anything," says Seguin.

"That's why we need to know if the community sees signs, they need to let
the RCMP know. We need help to start identifying the dealers and help to
guide us as to where the drugs are," but Seguin warns not to try and take
the law into your own hands.

"Always contact the RCMP, never put yourself at risk."

Drug information gathered from the Canadian Health Network.