METH INFO SESSION SLATED FOR NOV. 16

The Medicine Hat Police Service announced last week they will hold an open
conference at the college on Wednesday, Nov. 16 to inform people of the
dangers of methamphetamines. However, Sgt. Randy Youngman of the service
says the drug hasn't hit Medicine Hat in epidemic proportions -- at least
not yet.

"It is around, but not in the quantity that some other jurisdictions have.
But we want people in Medicine Hat to be informed." Youngman said. "The
conference will be open mic, so people will be able to ask questions."

According to police, crystal meth is a form of methamphetamines that is
most often smoked. It's the most common form found on the street. It's a
powerful stimulant produced in labs, and can be made from common
ingredients bought from local drug, health and hardware stores.

Youngman says when smoked, crystal meth gives a rapid and long lasting
high. If taken orally it can take upwards of 30 minutes to affect the
individual. This drug can also be snorted or injected. Crystal meth is
relatively cheap to sell and produce compared with other common street
drugs. On the street, crystal meth is also known as jib, crank and ice.

In Medicine Hat court, crack cocaine cases are seen much more than meth
cases. However, Youngman says it's only a matter of time until crystal meth
becomes as prominent here as it is in central Alberta.

Stan Weins, supervisor at the Medicine Hat AADAC office, says the central
corridor in Alberta -- areas such as Camrose, Hinton and Drayton Valley --
has the most users of crystal meth. He says crystal meth is in Medicine
Hat, but cocaine is used more so.

"We have noticed people come in with crystal meth addictions," he says.
"But very few come in with just crystal meth addiction. According to our
statistics more people come in with crack cocaine problems."

The Alberta government is concerned with the proliferation of the drug in
Alberta. On Oct. 12, AADAC announced that two new television advertisements
will soon be shown warning Albertans of the dangers associated with crystal
meth use. The advertisements will be shown throughout Alberta for a
four-week period starting in November. The cost to make the advertisement
was $450,000.

Police in Alberta are worried about crystal meth use because it can cause
violent behaviour, known on the street as meth rage.

Health officials are also concerned because the drug is associated with
liver and kidney damage. Other symptoms of crystal meth use can be
disturbed sleep, paranoid behaviour, depression, irritability and nervousness.

The meeting is sponsored by Medicine Hat Drug Council and the SAAMIS Rotary
Club. It's an open public forum on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. This forum will be
held at the Medicine Hat College, main theatre and is available to all at
no cost.