A : . , : i it 4 : . : : . A14- The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, November 15, 2006 ' f or delusions ‘of grandeur, sometimes leading to. ‘light. bulbs, glass straws | or r short straws, tubes, op . _ drawal ~ While high and recovering from a fo ; WI th your K [ D S ~~ high, users abruptly distance themselves from aggressive and violent behavior. razor blades, mirrors, syringes, smoking devices. _ ee: a . friends and from activities they normally en- Physical Signs: Tooth decay - Methamphet- Items containing white, beige, pink or brown _ joy. Compulsions — Some abusers will com- amine deprives the body of saliva, so users may | powder or crystalline substances. “pulsively clean and groom, and repetitively _ experience rapid tooth and gum decay. Poor an - “ disassemble and sort objects. Mood changes’ hygiene - During an extended high, users of- — Users can become moody, hypersensitive ten don’t bathe or take care of themselves. Dis- and irritable, and may quickly change from tinct smell - Users might smell of friendly to. .... ‘ss hostile. Psychosis - Some industrial chemicals; Meth’s main i experience =para- components. Sores - Abusers of- “noia, - hallucina- ten pick at their faces and get skin ‘tions, delusions rashes, acne and sores. Weight loss ». . and a psycho- -~ Users often don’t eat during their sis similar to. . extended highs, resulting in sudden “.schizophre- weight loss and poor nutrition. ° nia. Aggres- Other physical signs to look out ‘sivebehavior for:-Extreme rise in body tempera- ‘Users may ture; uncontrollable movements, like -have a:false twitching or jerking; dry, itchy ‘skin; sense of con- _ numbness; dilated pupils. dence and Drug Paraphernalia: Users may. have wer and/ -some of the following items ‘on hand: The following behaviors.and physical signs: 5%. might indicate .crystal’ meth abuse, especially opi... When. several are present at once. When in or .'° - doubt, seek the advice of a professional. — —_ fo _ Behaviors: Lack of sleep - Meth highs can last Poel for several hours, and an abuser can stay awake | . i . and active for up to fifteen days: Hyperactivity a pO - Users. experience bursts of energy, talkative- foe ness, excitement, increased alertness, increased & : heart rate and uncontrollable move-. . jee ments. Change ‘in speech ee _ — Users often speak quickly, Pee a _ uncontrollably and with a a quiver. They twitch, their... ae a eyes dart and. they hav pe trouble” “focusing . With oon a : . : - Sesesssen Serer eter irri errr ite . we EXPRESSION “there's” strength common goal, she said. in ~numbers” has. taken on a. solid “There are strong partners and there “There are strong ' partners and there oundation in the northwest's efforts are people who are donating a lot of their : are people donating - to prevent crystal meth from gaining — time,” said Rysavy. ; -a large amount of atoeholdhere._ . Projects in development include ase- " their. time,” says: ‘Local governments, each of whom cure web mentoring site to engage at-risk / = Joan Rysavy of were eligible to receive provincial. youth and training for paramedics in deal- nots the North West . grant, put their money together for. ing with violent crystal meth addicts. “'.*” ‘Regional Hospital a-cohesive approach. through a re- The regional group has a corporate ° ... | District who has - gional crystal. meth response com- partner in Alcan which is paying the wages mittee. of one of its employees, Carmen Charbon- ee the administrative: . . °° Jead for a regional: Joan Rysavy from the North West ‘neau, to be a motivational speaker. A for- ‘crystal meth re- ©: Regional Hospital District says the uni- mer meth, user, Charbonneau has a strong - ed approach has resulted in a $60,000 . message, says Rysavy. pool for education and awareness. But’. Also on the group's to- do list i is holding ust as crucial is a committee of people