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"When you're in a war, the side that wins the battles

of information, communication and coordination

wins more than just those battles - they win the whole war."

 

In the next week, we'll be introducing four new online programs under our "Bridges To Recovery" category. "At The Crossroads," "Recovery Jump-Start," "Recovery At Home," and the most powerful relapse prevention program ever introduced will all be available online. For advanced information prior to the formal launch, please email us today through the Contact Page.

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Welcome to the All Positive Options section on methamphetamine.  Popularly considered the most accurate, current and comprehensive examination of methamphetamine available anywhere in the world.  At well over 200 pages and growing, it's the most ambitious outline on our entire site and is updated on a continual basis, often several times a day.  Among other things, you'll find a lot of sections within this outline that are unique and that you just won't find anywhere else.  And that's because it requires a great deal of research, fact-checking, and ongoing effort to maintain them.

We also have a developing network of "information correspondents" throughout North America that tell us what's going on in various areas.  That's one of the reasons we were so far ahead in knowing about things like "strawberry meth" and other types of flavored meth that followed.  (We first alerted our clients all the way back in October of 2006.)

We were also made aware by correspondents in Western Canada and in some of the Eastern Seaboard states in the Spring of 2007 that there was a trend away from smoking meth, and more and more users were opting for injecting meth..  Most switching over to injecting meth are among those often characterized as "lower-tier" users, typically unemployed (or unemployable) and homeless. 

There are other aspects that make our examination of meth unique.  For example, in the section "Misinformation About Meth," you'll see something called "The Other Faces Of Meth." This vividly shows how this drug goes far beyond the typical demographics for drug abuse, ensnaring lawyers, doctors, senior citizens, daycare workers, teachers, judges, and many other types of people not typically found on court dockets for drug offences.  Or how about the accurate price for methamphetamine?  In the section, "Putting Meth In Perspective," we actually keep a running monitor of the price for a pound of methamphetamine throughout all of North America, updated on a daily basis.  We don't think you'll find information that current or accurate anywhere else.

And by "accurate," we mean without the exaggeration, hyperbole, and the outright misinformation that often is attached to so much of what we read about this drug.  If meth is really the monster that so many people are quick to say that it is, at the very least we should have our facts straight about it and our information up to date.

"Absolutely, this is the most intelligent, realistic and thorough examination of this drug I have seen anywhere -  and it's about time." Daniel Seles - San Diego, California

While it's true that "the worst drug to be addicted to is the one you're currently addicted to," as you're going to learn, methamphetamine is unique in a variety of ways.  Over the three years we've formally monitored the meth situation throughout North America and elsewhere, we've never seen another drug that involves so many dynamics that other drugs (including alcohol) simply don't possess.

However, The Meth Section Is Also About To Change

Originally, we devoted almost nine pages making our assertion that the meth situation in North America wasn't being overestimated, it was actually being grossly underestimated.  In fact, at the time, we were the only organization in North America who embraced that position.

And as most people know now, we were correct.  Studies have now indicated that previous estimates of meth use were off by (hang on to your hat) one hundred per cent.  But rather than say, "we told you so," we'll simply say (as we did before) the length, breadth and scope of the meth problem is STILL being grossly underestimated.  The difference is, this time we're not going to take up another nine pages on our web site explaining why.  We're confident time will bear us out again.

Unfortunately, countries other than the U.S. such as Great Britain and our own country, Canada, are going down the same path with methamphetamine, but seemingly have their head in the sand.  There is a persistent refusal to believe that meth use transcends both borders and cultural differences, and it's too bad, because a lot of misery could be avoided if countries would simply learn from the experiences of others.

Here are just a few things we were right about.

Strawberry & Other Flavors Of Meth

We said that certain organizations and agencies would use the "strawberry meth" issue to introduce new scare tactics, making the public think that drug dealers were now targeting small children.  And of course, this turned out to be just that - a scare tactic.  Were drug dealers flavoring their meth?  Sure they were!  And that's because in addition to giving them something new to do, adding a flavor takes away the harshness when you smoke it.

So as it turns out, despite this new "epidemic," not too many parents were asked by their little kids if they could have a three thousand dollar advance on their allowance so they could score nine grams of meth.  Meth users and dealers are the most paranoid group of people on the face of the planet - the idea that they'd put their trust in a third grader was ridiculous.

The Resurgence Of Domestic Meth Labs

When domestic restriction of precursor chemicals started going into force, we applauded it.  And that wasn't because we thought it would reduce the amount of meth on the street (it didn't) but because at least it would reduce the number of small "mom and pop meth labs," or "ounce reduction" labs.  And that meant that less kids and adults would be exposed to the effects of living in or near a meth lab set up in a kitchen.

However, we also said that as you put the squeeze on the small amount of domestic production, the slack would be picked up by more meth coming in from Mexico.  (it was)  And we also said that ultimately, "mom and pop" meth labs will begin popping up again, (they have) because newer, faster methods of making meth were now becoming popular.

A Resurgence Of Injecting Meth

When crystal meth first arrived in force, many users preferred smoking it, because crystal meth, or ICE methamphetamine was so easy to smoke.    We have a specific section on "Methods Of Ingestion For Methamphetamine," which explains why some methods are more popular than others, but we did predict that injection would become more popular in certain regions for a variety of common sense reasons.  For one thing, while the onset of the meth high is marginally different than smoking, the initial "rush" is more intense.  It varies from user to user, but many also feel they stay high longer when injecting.  And that's important, when you consider that the addict's life and entire existence literally revolves around staying high.  "Crashing is something to be avoided at all costs.  Anyway, we were right about that, because we make a habit of talking to the people who are doing it.

 

Great Britain Follows Suit

We wrote to a number of media outlets in Great Britain, and we told them that as far as we could tell, meth was taking the same path there, that it had in North America.  (it did)  And either our letters went unanswered, or we were told that cocaine and heroin were the big problems there, not meth.

Well folks, read a British newspaper.  Meth is all over the place and it's taking the identical path and pattern that it did in North America.  And the same thing is going to happen in our own country - Canada.  We're just as naive here in Canada as anywhere else.

Yet Another Enemy Surfaces

When you use fear as your main tactic in a campaign, you always have to have a new "enemy."  And that's because the person paying the bills (the taxpayer) always has to feel the cause is justified because another enemy is coming over the hill.

Well in this case, (as we predicted) it was meth-laced Ecstasy.  All of a sudden, according to Drug Czar John Walters, meth-laced Ecstasy was supposedly pouring across the U.S. Canada border.  Meanwhile, our own enforcement officials here in Canada said that these reports were total B.S., and wondered if it didn't have something to do with the fact that the Drug Policy Office was about to ask the U.S. Congress for more money.  (they did, 200 million more per year bringing their annual budget to 1.6 billion dollars)

Funding Cutbacks

We told everyone over a year and a half ago that once local "mom and pop" meth lab production was curtailed, even though the amount of meth and meth-related crime on the street was going to be the same or higher, local law enforcement funds would be cut back.  (they were, and will continue to be)

And you know, we're not against enforcement - a society needs laws to be enforced in order to operate in an orderly fashion.  But when attacking the drug problem, unless enforcement is matched equally in funding and resources with awareness, education, prevention and treatment, it's a complete waste of time.  And we can't just give lip-service to treatment.  It has to be the type of treatment that realizes that drug use isn't the problem, it's the SYMPTOM of the problem.  And that means when someone receives treatment, the drug use has to be seen as one star in the entire constellation of someone's need.

So there a few things we were right about, and if you read our entire outline, you'll find a lot more.  Actually, let's be honest - you'll find TONS of things we've been right about.  And it's not because we're so smart, it's because we do this full-time, seven days a week and we always have at least one eye on the big picture.  And while we know that 95% of the people that visit our site to learn about meth are looking for local solutions, you can't solve you local meth problems if you're not aware ofwhat's going on in the big picture, and how your local situation fits into that picture. 

We've also added a new section called The Human Side Of Meth.  This section is really the result of the incredible contact we've had with recovering meth addicts who are in the process of turning their lives around, or have already done so.  And moreover, they're as committed as we are about putting a human face on the meth problem, and getting beyond the ignorance and misconception surrounding this drug and the real people that have been caught up in it.  Of course we still update all sections of our site on a daily basis.

And remember, if you have anything to contribute please don't be shy - contact us.  We want to hear from users, ex-users, friends and families - anyone who has experienced the effects of meth directly or indirectly.  Currently, most people are currently being spoon-fed a lot of myth and propaganda about meth.  This is your chance to help us tell the truth.  And don't worry about your writing skills - just give us the basic facts and we'll put all the commas etc. in the right place.  It's the message that's important.

If you take the time to read this entire examination of meth, you won't have trouble seeing that North America is continuing to lose the battle against methamphetamine using the present tactics.  And we stress, using the present tactics. In fact, right now, in 2008, methamphetamine and the battle against it shows every indication of taking the identical path of cocaine in the way it's spreading, the way it's being handled, and the way it's being reported and monitored. You see, North America already lost the battle of cocaine.  After decades of declaring "war" on that drug and spending trillions of dollars, there's more cocaine in North America today than ever before in history - and it's purer and it's less expensive. And there is absolutely no reason why meth won't follow this exact path.  And that's because in each instance, we're focused on supply, and not demand.

"I know I'm probably 20 labs higher than I was last year," Trooper Ritch Reynolds Meth Suppression Trooper ISP Terre Haute Post April 2008 ********************************* Meth labs are a growing concern in Texas again.  Hockley County Sheriff David Kinney says state authorities put his office on alert for meth labs. "They said that they thought they were coming back. I don't know why they are coming back or what the deal is, but he asked us to start watching for it. Sure enough we had one going," April 2008

But Don't Worry - Be Happy

And while losing the battle of cocaine, each year the public was continually reassured that "progress was being made."  Well it's been thirty-five years with cocaine - where's the progress there?  Do you see progress in the Federal figures released on May 30th, 2007 for seizures at the border for cocaine, heroin, or meth?  Or take Texas.  State troopers, while conducting routine traffic stops, seized 5,986 pounds of cocaine, beating the old record of 4,009 pounds set in 1994.  267 pounds of methamphetamine - nearly 100 pounds more than the record setting 2004 mark.  And 95,653 pounds of marijuana, more than double the amount of the drug found in 2005 and topping the 2004 record by more than 20,000 pounds.  How are we winning?

The Definition Of Insanity

The first thing you learn in drug or alcohol treatment is that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  And if we continue to battle methamphetamine in the same splintered, fragmented way as we battled cocaine - with no coordination or communication between communities and regions, methamphetamine will soon be ten times the problem it is now.  And you can hold us to that prediction because we are virtually certain we're right.

That's not meant in any way to discount the incredible efforts and successes of community coalitions and task forces in creating awareness and education programs.  No other drug in history has mobilized people on a community level the way methamphetamine has.  But if you look a the big picture, we're not winning, and only a handful of people throughout the U.S. and Canada are actually looking at the big picture.

Here In Canada

Here in Canada, we don't even know what picture we're looking at because evidently, some regions and areas consider themselves immune to methamphetamine because among other reasons, "they haven't seen it in their area yet."  (Boy have we heard that a million times in thelast three years.

But they will.  Even in our home province of Ontario, all the pieces are in place for it to become a major hub of both meth manufacturing and distribution.  And not just manufacturing of meth with just small "mom and pop" labs, but superlabs.  It's only a matter of time. 

An Example Of Looking At Things In "Context"

Every region is quick to point out there are less meth labs being seized.  Actually, that's up until recently because in many areas, the mom and pop style meth lab is seeing a resurgence.  But ignoring the fact that small mom and pop meth labs have never been responsible for more than 5 - 10% of the meth on the street, it's still good news if there's less labs in your area, because from a variety of perspectives, meth labs are bad news.

But consider this:  On May 22nd, 2007, five hundred and forty-four pounds of meth were seized in Alabama FROM A TRUCK THAT HAD BEEN STOPPED FOR A TRAFFIC VIOLATION.  Does anyone have any idea how many "mom and pop" level meth labs you would have to shut down to equal five hundred and forty-four pounds of meth?  If each meth lab was producing five ounces a week, (which is typical) you would have to shut down one thousand seven hundred and forty labs.

Something more recent?  In October of 2007, Louisiana state troopers made what they say is the largest crystal meth seizure in U.S. history. Almost $23 million worth of crystal meth was found on an 18-wheeler on Interstate 12 past Holden.  Again, it was a random traffic stop!!!!. And now in the Spring of 2008, we're seeing meth busts of larger and larger hauls, particular at border states and provinces.

So there's two seizures, over a half a ton of methamphetamine, stumbled upon through a traffic violation stops.  Do the math - if you go by the accepted idea that authorities only seize a fraction of what's out there, WE HAVE TONS OF METH OUT THERE.  Which is precisely what we predicted almost two years ago when we were just dealing with ounce reduction labs.  And as we've said, we're not right because we're so brilliant.  We're right because we're one of the very few organizations that looks at the meth situation in North America as a continental phenomenon, because even in it's smallest configuration, that's what it is.  And unfortunately, because people don't think the larger picture affects them, it's only being battled on a community-by-community basis, with little or no sharing of information.  Just imagine waging a real "war" like that, and how impossible it would be to win, particularly when you discover your enemy is totally organized. 

So within this outline, we've tried to examine every aspect of the meth issue in-depth, objectively and in proper context.  And context is critical with this drug, because unless you always look at it in the proper context, you can very easily be seduced into believing it's a problem so big it can't be solved, or alternatively, that's it's no problem at all.  Depending on the context you place it in, or the way the information is skewed or "spun," meth can fit both categories.

We think that you're going find this outline extremely informative and your comments, suggestions and input are welcomed and encouraged.  We also invite you to visit the section on The International Collaboration On Methamphetamine. (ICOM)   This is a powerful and unprecedented new resource we launched on April 30th, 2007, specifically developed to get some international coordination with respect to meth.  We've also announced The Meth Education Newsletter & Update (M.E.N.U.), which we think you'll agree, every community fighting meth should be receiving in order to keep their information up to date and to be kept aware of new developments with meth and how it might affect their specific community.  And there are new developments with this drug virtually every week that many communities aren't finding out about until it's at their doorstep.  Strawberry meth is one of many examples.

So here we are now, in 2008, and meth is becoming an accepted part of the landscape, both rural and urban.  And while certain factions want you to believe it's going away, there's as much meth confiscated across North America now in one day, as was confiscated in one or two months just a year or two ago.  We were right when we predicted that would happen, and we wish we had been wrong.  We also wished people would have listened, because we knew what we're talking about then, and we know what we're talking about now.  But YOU be the judge.  Read it all, and you be the judge. 

And if you have suggestions, comments or corrections, please let us know, because what you think is extremely important to us.

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