FORUM LOOKS AT DRUG PROBLEM

EXETER -- It wasn't an issue five years ago, but in the last year the
use of ecstasy and methamphetamines at South Huron District High
School (SHDHS) has come to the attention of the staff at the high
school according to principal Jeff Reaburn, who was speaking at a
community forum on drug use Feb. 27.

Reaburn said high school staff are aware of students using ecstasy,
which is both affordable and accessible and is targeted at both high
school and younger students with concerns it is a gateway drug towards
crystal meth.

Also speaking at the forum was Jason Sibley, who has been the OPP
liaison officer to the high school for two years.

While the two drugs have a lot of similarities, said Sibley,
methamphetamine is far worse.

Ecstasy first appeared as a recreational drug in 1977 and exploded in
popularity in the rave culture between 1988 and 1998.

It has continued to grow in use to the point Sibley said he will deal
with a case of ecstasy use once every four shifts.

The drug started in Europe with the majority of the laboratories still
there, said Sibley.

Ecstasy provides a high of several hours with positive feelings of
empathy and elimination of anxiety but the pills are unreliable in
content.

Users of ecstasy face many of the same risks as users of other
stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines.

These include increases in heart rate and blood pressure, a special
risk for people with circulatory problems or heart disease and other
symptoms such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea,
blurred vision, faintness, chills and sweating.

Psychological effects can include confusion, depression, sleep
problems, drug craving and severe anxiety with another problem
unreliable contents of ingredients in the drug. Worse than any other
type of drug, according to Sibley is methamphetamine which is a
chemical cocktail and has a high potential for long term abuse.

The drug can be produced almost anywhere, including basements,
garages, kitchens and vehicles, with drug gangs stealing minivans
because of their size and electrical connections to make the drug and
then abandon them.

Sibley said signs of a drug lab include a strong smell of solvent,
boarded up windows and lots of traffic as well as bottles of chemicals
and red stained coffee filters.

A new type of methamphetamine that Sibley said has appeared is
`Strawberry Quick' which is turned pink by adding strawberry powder to
the drug to make it more appealing and to hide impurities.

As well as the dangers of consuming methamphetamine, Sibley said
producing the drug is dangerous, with the possibility of fires,
explosions, chemical burns and inhalation. Methamphatime is made of a
wide variety of chemicals that the body can't break down including
ether, benzene, ammonia, lye, sulfuric acid and acetone.

"It's harder to get the stuff than it is to make it," said Sibley who
added for every `cook' there are multiple dealers as well as people
who are stealing materials.

The age range of those using methamphetamine has changed since it
started being used with 54 per cent of users in 1996 between 18-23
years old, but it has dropped to 35 per cent for 18 -23 year olds with
24 per cent of users under 18.

The reason, said Sibley is that "they're dead by the time they're
25."

Signs of those using methamphetamine according to Sibley are extreme
mood swings, repetitive behaviour, aggression, rapid weight loss and
open wounds.

Users also show signs of poor hygiene with dirty clothing and burn
marks on their fingers.

Asked what can be done to combat the problem, Sibley said more money
is needed for drug unit officers, with only two available for all of
Huron County.

"Drugs and prostitution are always there," said Sibley. "There is lots
of money in them."