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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLucknow Sentinel, 2009-04-08, Page 8• Page 8 - Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, April 8, 2009 Photo by A Joanne Osborne The cast and stage band of One Child Soldier received a standing ovation. Swell Productions presented the play, One Child Soldier, the story of how a family was affect- ed ected after an under.,aged man enlisted and served in the Second . World War; at the Teeswater Town Hall, last Saturday afternoon and evening. Crystal meth, a BY PAT HALPIN Special to the Sentinel . Social agencies and municipal politicians got a look at the disturb- ing facts around crystal meth Friday as a Grey Bruce coalition made a 'pitch for help bat- tling the problem. Crystal meth use in Bruce and Grey is growing faster than the provincial average, according to a report by Glenda Clarke and Associates. Health Canada's most recent figures -- from 2004 put meth use at 9.8 per cent of adults sur- veyed, while a 2007 Ontario Student Drug and Health survey shows 1.4 percent of students used meth that year. stal meth may not be in wide- spread use for the general population, according to a report from the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, but meth use is on the rise among street youth. Parents of users and users who spoke at Friday's forum made it clear that on the street is where crystal meth puts its victims. "This drug addiction is noth- ing short of a nightmare," said a CLINTONGODERICH-F 9z Ph. 519624-8174 Fax: 51945242811 'AmOitpetenighettedondon.on.caWI : www,stpetersg(xtelich.dionet/ Vis a tacorning family of faith, we are wiled by arist through pr to share the gifts of who w are and what t have in loving service to t. * ri J� nner f► a 5: l "to Y • parent identified as Mary. "Crystal meth is not even a drug in my eyes, it is a poi- son, my daughter is poisoning herself, and we are watch- ing a beautiful teenager turn into a devil before us." A user identified as Bill said when he was 20 a friend gave. him crystal meth. "Eventually it caused all kinds of problems like anger. I freaked out easily and had financial troubles. Everything was affected. I couldn't hold a job. I had maybe 12.15 jobs over that time," Bill said: The poignant stories and consul- tant's report are part of developing a comprehensive response to crystal meth and getting the support of the province and Bruce and Grey counties, said Bruce county social services director Terry Sanderson. Social services, probation, children's Aid and the Health Unit were among those at Friday's meet- "Name the agency and they were there," Sanderson said. The range of services indicates the wide -spread impact of the drug. problem While far less com- *non than alcohol addictions that are the mainstream problem in Grey and Bruce, Sanderson said meth is an addic- tive, aggressive drug that can lead to property crimes and violence. Crystal meth is similar to the speed that killed and damaged users in the 1970s. Experts can't explain _ why its use is rising among teen girls and men in their 20s, but suggest the strong, long- lasting high and relatively cheap cost are factors, The ; report chronicles the dev- astating impact on the : user's health, from ' extreme weight loss to tooth decay. It cites con- cern about a grow- ing number of meth parents who neglect their chil- dren, and about the danger posed by explosive and toxic meth Iabs in homes. Long-term cog- nitive damage leaves users unable to cope successful- ly with life. That hurts families and neighbourhoods, puts the user in repeated conflict with finances and the law, and creates what the report calls a 'slow bleed' of scarce resources as social services, in area Children's Aid, hospitals, police and mental health agencies deal with meth users. The coalition is asking for provin- cial money for a task force that will bump up law enforcement, harm reduction, educa- tion and treatment options. In the meantime the coalition can pool existing resources, said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hazel ,Lynn. I think . we do have enough momentum with the different organ- izations that eve,'" though none of us have - a : huge amount of money if you put it all together there's probably enough to get a task force going," she • said. One mother identified as Mary said parents have been waiting . years for crystal meth to get attention. Parents rank tougher sentences for repeat offend- ers at the top of their wish list of solutions. "They're infect- ing our kids," Mary said about repeat users and dealers who are quickly back on the streets atter` getting fines and condi- tional sentences. Continued on page rte}:r 11 you 11a't'•c ciil eh% t ric'itt` gtrztling fridge theft's fifteen years olid or more, yrni Can ('t 11(1 (V 11 Ow ('i1 t Yt (ll% /list 11l(lke X111 appointment with us. We'll c onw into tout' home, take it away 101 , f l ce"ana t c'(_:vcic tt in till cin 1 ito11 ine1l (Hill' f i 1C11(ilt 1710171701. =htl'll 501V V beili'ecll 5120-5150 per yea, in elec it feat. f• nok online today at cve1•'ttk t oti a t t co tm l s. ca nll mill l 877- 7 .97- • .