CRYSTAL METH: CHEAP AND DANGEROUS

Harmful and highly addictive synthetic drug continues to spread
across all segments of our society

The size and scope of the crystal methamphetamine problem in
Vancouver is a matter of much debate between health officials and law
enforcement, but its impact on street youth and gay men is undeniable.

A 29-year-old former crystal meth addict named Lucky, who panhandles
on Granville Street, nearly died from an overdose before getting clean.

"My friends took me to a cabin in the middle of nowhere and chained
me down for five weeks," he said. "I made a promise to my daughter
and I've been clean for three years."

Dr. Ian Martin, an addictions specialist with Three Bridges Community
Health Centre in Vancouver, said crystal meth is appealing because it
is cheap, long lasting, suppresses appetite, and has euphoric effects.

"For street youth, finding food can be a problem," Martin said.
"Finding a place to sleep can also be a problem. Crystal meth can
solve both of these problems."

He said a tenth of a gram, or a "point," costs about $10, and the
feelings of wellbeing and alertness can last several days.

Martin said that while crystal meth use has shown up in new
demographics, from video game players to housewives, use of the drug
has "been relatively stable in North America for the last two to three years."

Martin said the drug is still most prevalent among street youth and
gay and bisexual men.

"Crystal meth is pandemic in the club scene," said Steven Huston, the
student representative for the Langara Queer Collective.

Huston was the focus of recent controversy for handing out cards that
advocated a harm reduction stance on crystal meth. The cards listed
various ways to use the drug safely, and did not shy away from the
drug's sexual benefits or euphoric effects. Some felt the cards
promoted crystal meth use.

Huston said there are many young, gay students at Langara who are
beginning to explore the club scene. He feels it is important to
inform students of the benefits and dangers of crystal meth, so they
can make informed decisions.

"Someone who says 'hey try this out' isn't going to give them a list
of all the side effects," he said, adding that an abstinence-based
approach will not work.

Dr. Trevor Corneil, a professor of medicine at UBC who specializes in
addictions and gay and lesbian issues, said crystal meth first showed
up in the gay club scene 10 years ago.

Corneil said it gained a reputation as a "good party drug," spreading
to the street, then into mainstream society.

He said many of the dangers unique to crystal meth stem from its
long-lasting effects, including severe dehydration, an increased
chance of addiction, and more intense withdrawal.

"The downer is longer because the high is longer."

Cpl. Scott Rintoul with the Vancouver RCMP said crystal meth is not
the most popular illicit drug in Vancouver, but he argues the
worldwide use of synthetic drugs, including ecstasy and crystal meth,
has overtaken cocaine and heroin in popularity.

He also said that in some suburbs and rural communities, such as
Maple Ridge and Chilliwack, crystal meth has become the hard drug of choice.

"Some people in the health industry say we're promoting hysteria," he
said. "I think we're just being honest."

METH information

1 Crystal methamphetamine, aka: tina, krank, speed, tweak, ice

2 Can be snorted, injected, or in its crystal form 'ice' smoked in a pipe

3 Methamphetamine was first synthesized in 1919 by the Japanese
chemist A. Ogata

4 In World War II, both Axis and Allied countries provided their
soldiers with methamphetamines. Amphetamines are still administered
by some militaries

5 Crystal Meth Anonymous meeting: Sat. 7:30 p.m. at 119 Cordova St., Van.