Experts end three-day crystal meth conference armed with more information (Canadian Press)

Experts end three-day crystal meth conference armed with more information

Experts end three-day crystal meth conference

Greg Joyce
Canadian Press

See Also: Crystal Meth News and Forum

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

VANCOUVER (CP) - Users of the highly addictive and increasingly popular drug crystal methamphetamine can be treated successfully, experts concluded following a three-day conference on the synthetic drug.

"It's a difficult road but we heard from experts that it is possible to treat meth users and there is hope of reversing serious damage caused," said chairwoman Joanna Ashworth at the conclusion of the Western Canadian Summit on Methamphetamine.

The three-day conference didn't conclude with any significant announcements but a panel will continue to work on a "consensus document" to try to map a strategy to fight the invasive drug.

Crystal meth is also known as ice, jib, glass or speed and it has become a major worry in North America because of its increasing popularity and its devastating effects.

To try to get a handle on it, some 250 delegates including doctors, police, pharmacists and health-care workers met in Vancouver this week.

Delegates learned that "we need to be very concerned about a crisis but there's a lot we can do to prevent situation from getting worse."

There is still not enough evidence to form a firm conclusion on who is using it but Ashworth said there are certain groups that are particularly affected: young street people, gay men and some people involved in the club scene.

The delegates also learned that the crystal meth production and use began in the West - in Canada and the U.S. - and spread East.

But they don't why, she said.

The consensus statement to come later would reflect the areas of agreement reached by the experts.

"It's important to have good information to plan responses," said Ashworth.

A big part of the problem is that the ingredients to make crystal meth are cheap and easily obtainable.

"We know that many of the ingredients needed to develop meth can be obtained over the counter so it's really important to be able to regulate the use and disrupt production as best as possible."

But any strategy to try to curb sale of the individual ingredients would be difficult to enforce and, moreover, any strategy must be carried out along with prevention, treatment and harm reduction.

Front-line workers at the conference told delegates their biggest challenge is dealing with young people who experience psychotic episodes as a result of meth.

Much of the current attention for immediate treatment has focused on cocaine and heroin users, leaving meth treatment scrambling for resources, she said.

"Meth users can be treated successfully but they need long-term support. In early detox they need particular attention, individualized care and that is taxing on the system."

The drug is sometimes known as Dark Crystal and can be bought for as little as $5 a hit. The effects can last for days, keeping users awake and sleep-deprived.

But even more worrisome is the ghastly array of over-the-counter chemicals the synthetic stimulant can be made from.

Battery acid, brake fluid, floor-stripper and flammable retardants found in fireworks are just a few of the ready-made products that make up the glass-like shards that users usually smoke or snort.