Methamphetamine Rehab Program Airdrie, Alberta, Meth Addiction Detox Treatment, Airdrie, AB

Over the last few years, the new drug of choice in Alberta has become the crystallized form of methamphetamine often referred to as crystal meth and now the government is taking steps to fight the growing problem in communities across the province.

The Government of Alberta recently released a report from the premier’s task force on crystal meth, which developed 83 recommendations on how to deal with the problem. Government will now consider the best way to co-ordinate implementation of the recommendations.

The City of Airdrie has not been immune to the influx of the drug that causes permanent brain damage, but yet is cheap and readily available. "It’s not a problem yet ... but it is happening," said Suzanne Rigger, Airdrie regional drug impact team media liaison and Airdrie Emergency Services member. "We don’t want to delude ourselves and say it’s not a problem – it’s here, but like anything else we’re just a microcosm of a bigger society."

Rigger pointed out that the price of the street drug is what makes it so appealing to the younger crowd. "Crystal meth is a really scary drug," she said. ""The fact that it is so cheap is what’s scary. It’s a drug that is cheap and readily available. Because it’s cheap it’s going to be plentiful."

There isn’t one demographic where use of crystal meth is particularly rampant. It seems to affect everybody, not just poor or underprivileged people; it affects everybody right across the board. Additionally, the age at which young people encounter drugs is turning into a dangerous problem, as well.

"The age of people dealing with drugs is getting lower constantly," Reiger said. "It used to be that Grades 7 and 8 were taught about drug use; Grades 4, 5 and 6 have to be educated now." The best way to keep people away from drugs is to educate them about the physical and mental consequences. But sometimes even that isn’t enough, which is why the entire province is working to take steps to combat this drug.

But there are many people dedicated to eradicating this drug with meth rehab treatments and methamphetamine detox centers. But Airdrie and all of Alberta need more meth treatments if they are to stop this epidemic.