READERS MAILBOX

The Editor:

While my 15-month old son and I were out for a leisurely stroll Monday
morning we came across a small plastic "baggie" lying on the sidewalk.

This baggie turned out to be a bitter, shocking reminder of the ungodly
past we had just escaped three months previous.

Moving from Athabasca, Alberta to Nakusp was an agonizing attempt to leave
behind family, friends and a town that was being consumed by
methamphetamines (crystal meth, speed, quick, jib). Call it what you will,
it nearly destroyed my life and was now lying on the street in front of me
in the very town I had come to seek refuge and healing.

I reluctantly picked up the dingy baggie and wondered what to do, then
realized that anyone could have seen the sped bag lying there and could
have easily mistaken it for litter - but for some ironic reason, it was I
who found it and sadly could not mistake its contents.

I knew that if I chose to suffer in silence, and say nothing, then others
too would suffer in silence and speed might consume our peaceful valley.

Awareness is a powerful tool against drug addiction and so I want people to
be aware of the possible side effects or signs of a speed addiction.

First of all, be concerned if someone is sleeping very little or not at all
for days on end.

Watch for changes in loss of appetite, nervousness, excitability and
forgetfulness. (Being high on speed is similar to an alcoholic's blackout).

You may notice that a loved one is lying to you about where they've been or
where they're going, speed addicts often lie and make up stories to hide
their addiction or to find time to do the drug.

The scariest and most dangerous signs of speed use are the extreme mood
swings and rages that can be terrifying and even life threatening.

Finally, suicidal thoughts and threats of suicide are very common among
speed addicts and equally common are attempted suicides and deaths.

After knowing one of the deadliest drugs on the market I strongly feel that
we need stricter laws and enforcement of these laws. Those who are caught
producing speed or distributing this deadly drug should be sentenced to the
same punishment as murderers, after all they are killing innocent people.

Also, more taxpayers' dollars should be put toward investigating and
seizing meth labs and dealers rather than toward less harmful drugs like
marijuana and hashish.

Although crystal meth hasn't been focused on often in the news, it has
recently been reported as "becoming an epidemic in B.C., and other reports
say "it's the new drug of choice among our youth and the poor." After all
for a measly $20 one can be high for days.

I've seen how quickly speed can destroy a friend, a family, even a life -
one report states that a cocaine addict may not notice the effects of long
term cocaine use for 10 - 15 years but one who uses speed notices the
effects within two or three months.

Those who think speed is a recreational drug are dangerously deceiving
themselves. Speed is extremely addictive and even after using the drug
five times, chances are that you are already addicted.

For now, the best thing we can do is to talk honestly with our children
about drugs and how easy it is to become an addict - no matter who you are.

Certainly, if you know someone or you have an addiction to any substance,
get help immediately by calling Narcotics Anonymous, a detox centre,
rehabilitation centre, counsellors, or even family and friends.

Your RCMP office would be willing to help you find support you desperately
need.

Don't be afraid to ask for help and remember. Don't try and hide or escape
your problems by running away from them, like I have learned. They have a
way of following you until you deal with them.

Yvonne Schoff

Nakusp