EDSON'S DRUG PROBLEM IS ESCALATING, AGAIN

Edson has a drug problem and it goes by the name of methamphetamines, or as
it's commonly called, speed.

"There's certainly a presence of speed here in our community. The province
has a reputation for being in the speed corridor," said Edith
Zuidhof-Knoop, supervisor of the Edson Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Commission office. "Edson has a reputation for speed being readily
available," she added. "I would agree there is a drug problem in Edson.
Typically we see a methamphetamine problem. Most of our crime originates
from the drug problem," said Const. Kent Dahl of the RCMP.

"Speed is a drug that has an intense affect. It's the same as cocaine but
it's cheaper and available to a larger population," Zuidhof-Knoop said.
"Probably a third to half of my caseload is speed," she said.

"There's a lot of money here to support a drug problem. It's not just lower
income families, we have problems with higher income families as well. It
doesn't affect one socioeconomic status," Dahl said.

"There is cocaine in this area but right now the prevalence is meth and
marijuana," he added.

Speed is also known by other names such as crystal meth, crank and, in a
smokable form, ice.

Because amphetamines increase alertness, energy and a sense of well-being,
they are sometimes used illicitly by truck drivers, shift workers,
students, athletes and body builders.

Not just for students

"It tends not to be students in Edson, it's more young adults between the
ages of 18 and 35 that have a level of harmful involvement," Dahl said.

Bob Tredger, principal of Parkland Composite High School in Edson, said
that he is aware of the drug problem in Edson.

"It isn't noticeable here at the school," he added.

The RCMP offers the drug abuse resistance program to children in Grade 6 in
the public school system.

"We want to get to them before they're offered drugs. Studies have shown
that students in Grade 7 and 9 have already been offered or tried drugs,"
Dahl said.

Side effects of speed include restlessness, shakiness, sweating, anxiety,
irregular heartbeat and chest pains. Overdose can cause delusions, high
fever, seizures, coma, stroke, heart failure and death.

How to quit

"It's a difficult drug to come off or quit because of its very addictive
nature," Zuidhof-Knoop said.

Dahl said that the RCMP is constantly trying new ways to fight the drug
problem in Edson.

"It's long and arduous and takes time. We work on it constantly," he said.
Dahl also stressed that Edson doesn't have more of a problem then other
small towns.

"I think a lot of people get the misconception around town that we have a
severe drug problem. The bottom line is the whole region has a drug
problem," he said.

It's important for residents to keep an eye out and report any abnormal
activity.

"We don't solve crimes without the help of the community. It is very
important that the community help us as much as possible," he added.

Zuidhof-Knoop said that there has been talk of reviving Narcotics Anonymous
here in Edson, but meeting dates and times haven't been set.