Drug and alcohol addiction and abuse. Recognition. Prevention. Treatment
20/20 Parenting. Recognizing and mitigating early vulnerabilities and risk factors.
Crystal Methamphetamine
What Are the Realities?
- Canadian laws prevent parents from enforcing treatment in spite of the legal responsibility they have for their child until they reach the age of 18. Parent Responsibility Act
- Treatment in Canada is only beginning to develop effective methods and protocols, still falling short of the necessary on-demand availability
- Treatment programs are too few, too short, and secure long-term programs are non-existent in Canada.
- Addicts are often reduced to having to choose between criminal activity or sex trade services to support their desperate need for more crystal meth, food and clothing, further damaging their self-esteem and adding greater need to self-medicate to escape their desperate reality.
- Overdose, suicide, and institutionalization result for many who seem unable to reach “bottom” before brain damage renders near impossible the life-saving voluntary decision for treatment required by law.
Yes, this picture is so unbelievably grim that it does sound like an exaggeration.
Tragically, for this reason, some parents brush it off, return to their “safe” lives, and when it does touch someone they know they are caught off guard and ineffective for quick action.
Early awareness, preparation, prevention, and treatment are crucial not only for all parents, but also for extended family members, teachers, coaches, and health care workers.
Sources:
1. PowerPoint printed slide courtesy of Corporal Scott Rintoul, R.C.M.P. Drug Awareness Service – Vancouver, B.C., Canada
2. PowerPoint slide courtesy of Dr. Bill MacEwan, Director, Schizophrenia Program, UBC, Clinical Director, Fraser South EPI, B.C., Canada
Sites Offering Support for Families and Addicts:
Crystal Recovery:www.crystalrecovery.com
Their excellent forums:
general discussion, recovery tips, family support
and more: http://p102.ezboard.com/bcrystalrecoveryhelpforum96370
Crystal Meth BC: www.crystalmethbc.ca
New Canadian Resource Site: talkwithyourkids.ca
Support for Addicts:
SMART Recovery, an international organization offering an alternative/complementary meeting to the 12 Step tradition, both online and face-to-face: www.smartrecovery.org
Crystal Meth Anonymous: www.crystameth.org
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