News report in Canada puts methamphetamine in spotlight

A television news report in Saskatchewan this week illustrates the challenge of addressing methamphetamine addiction, and highlights why upward trends in its use cause such concern. In the two-part series from CTV Saskatoon, an addiction consultant in the region states that more than 30% of patients in a Saskatoon rehabilitation center were admitted for a methamphetamine use issue alone, and that dependence develops rapidly in some users.

“We're not talking about people who are deliberately bingeing,” Saskatoon Health Region consultant Peter Butt said in the televised report. “We're talking about people who have lost control over the substance and they're struggling to regain control of their life.”

Also in the report, “The Madness of Meth,” a woman who has lived on the streets in Saskatchewan for years said obtaining crystal meth in the community is about as easy as ordering a pizza.

“You can make a phone call and it could be here in 15 minutes,” said Carmen Schick. She added that she avoids the drug because of the highly harmful effects she has seen in others.