Discussions

Unless you've completely had your head in the sand in recent months and years, we all know that meth is a problem that's increasing. It seems to be a problem everywhere... in Winnipeg, in Brandon, in small towns, pretty much everywhere has reported a dramatic increase in meth usage.  
 
This article from CBC Manitoba talks specifically about meth usage in Winnipeg and mentions the astronomical increase in needles getting picked up by the Bear Clan Patrol (a 10-fold increase over last year). But there's a quote in the article that I'm trying to wrap my head around, because I don't understand it.  
 
"The factors that lead to this kind of addiction are complex and it's up to public health and all government services to dig deeper in order to fight what's causing drug use in the first place, she said.  
 
"I think that there is a lot of pain and trauma experienced by communities in Manitoba, some of it having to do with racism or poverty or structural barriers that they don't have access to the things that they need, like recreation and good health care," she said.  
 
"People are just doing what they're doing to get through the day and to try to cope with the feelings that they have."  
 
(from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/meth-overdose-deaths-double-in-manitoba-in-2-years-1.4801236)  
 
I don't understand that. Can someone provide a bit of insight? I'm struggling to understand this blight to our community, but this [seemingly] very basic premise of why people turn to a it's-not-a-secret-this-stuff-will-hurt-you stuff is beyond my frame of reference.  
 
Thank-you for a helpful and productive discussion.

The fact you can’t understand shows why this problem is so difficult. For some drugs are a self medication or escape for factors in their life that you obviously have no inkling of. In other cases its self destructive behaviour due to lack or self care, worth, esteem or even a genuine wish to hurt oneself. Social isolation, physical, mental, emotional pain all are factors. Couple that with lack of support and coping tools both on a personal and social level and people end up doing what to you are pretty ridiculous things but to them seems the only answer they have. I’m by no means justifying it but the reason you can’t understand is your life obviously is in a different place than an addicts. The problem is compounded by the fact that once an addict starts and is addicted it can seem near impossible to stop, mentally and physically, again particularly unless the circumstances and things lacking in their life have been repaired. Addiction creates a new personality with new associations. Every one of those associations becomes stronger the longer the addiction goes on and becomes even harder to break. It’s an ugly place to be.

It seems that children are being raised in hyper sheltered environments. Where everything is perfect, things are given to you instead of earned, no one is allowed to fail and they’re taught that everyone shares and listens.  
 
No coping skills exist when they hit the reality of real life. They have no means to fight back against the struggles of life.

Well said!

I can understand turning to drugs and alcohol to help cope with feelings. I get that. What I don’t get is choosing to try meth. (I do believe addiction is a disease but I also believe the first time for anything is a choice)  
 
Why choose to do meth? Maybe when it was new and no Info was on it about how addictive and destructive it was, I could possibly understand why. However, everyone knows how dangerously addictive it is now and we’ve all seen the crazy behaviour of people on it...so I just don’t understand why anyone would think “that looks fun. That looks like it will solve my problems. Let me try it!”  
 
On the other hand, I guess I am thankful that I don’t understand it either though.

My choosing of meth was a result of partying. I was drinking one night, pretty buzzed, buddy offered a line of meth. Well holly piss....the burning up my nose was insane....but then....instant sober. Party all weekend like no tomorrow. Also who needs viagra when I was on that. Love sessions lasted hours. You are invincible, full of energy, in a world where you are superman. Then I got a woman full time. Well that changed my world. It became party to escape. Using caused me to escape reality and create a whole new world, sort of like people when online. Then life spiraled out of control and I lost everything. It isn't until you lose everything you begin to rebuild. It was a struggle but hey it can be done.

Everyone wants to feel good. Just like any drug I’m assuming it makes you feel good, it’s very cheap and looong lasting. But after the initial rush it seems to mess with the body and mind. How is it so readily available in our community should be the big question. I think people would be very surprised at who’s bringing this in. I know I sure was when I heard. Shocked even. Hopefully these names will come out sooner or later. Local business owners...I could just print these names right now. What’s stopping me?

That’s the problem Sean. Not enough being done to stop it, particularly holding those who should be accountable......accountable. Can’t do that, gotta keep their status intact and just watch those less fortunate suffer. Ffs.......BPS has been useless in this and the city has done even less.

Hey! said "It seems that children are being raised in hyper sheltered environments. Where everything is perfect, things are given to you instead of earned, no one is allowed to fail and they’re taught that everyone shares and listens.     No coping skills exist when they hit the reality of real life. They have no means to fight back against the struggles of life. "

Can you specify that generation so I can run you some statistics on alcohol, drug and whatever abuse for that period?  
 
I'm guessing you're 600 years old and grew up in the good old days when kids were better seen not heard and a good swat to the side of the head made em listen...  
 
The hyper sheltered kids are a not the ones selling their friends DVD player for a hit of meth...it's the kids like the ones you wish we were raising that don't feel sheltered and have no idea what perfect looks like and know nothing but failure.  
 
I love reading these Archie Bunker statements that come up on almost every thread...do you have any anecdotes to illustrate what kind of struggles the children of today cannot cope with? maybe throw in a little bit of "what you'd do to help them cope?" or was it just more of a general grumpy broad strokes kind of statement...which isn't really super helpful when it comes to fixing anything.

The BPS has gotta know. They could put a stop to this or at least put a serious dent to the influx. But I guess they want fries with their burgers too. Makes me think there is a bigger plan at work here to get rid of certain folk. That’s how it looks to me.

Meth you are addicted to after using it once its so powerful and you can live without it and then you just spiral out with it... (Experience from family not me)

I know where i won't be spending my money...business "people". Anything to make a buck.

sean said "I know where i won't be spending my money...business "people". Anything to make a buck. "

?

From what I've heard there are some business owners in town bringing this stuff in. And you won't find me in there establishments anymore.

their

sean said "From what I've heard there are some business owners in town bringing this stuff in. And you won't find me in there establishments anymore. "

Really??? Not going to "these" establishments means nothing. If you have first hand knowledge, report it instead of coming on here and dropping inuendos on this discussion board. You could be potentially saving lives.

More than a few dealers in my neighbourhood, I've tried to report them to BPS but I was told that I have no physical proof that they are selling drugs! That I have to video tape them doing their deals! They have huge amounts of people of all ages (kids and teenagers included) going in and only staying for 2-5 min then leaving again! I have a small child who plays outside and we've even had a shooting in our area this past winter! It was A wrong address and that docent make me feel any safer...knowing that people will shoot at the wrong house...it was reportedly over an argument over drugs! I now have a large dog for protection for my family and a lock on my gate so someone on wth can't just waltz into my yard or home....something needs to be done about this meth problem in Brandon and other towns!

I’m not that naive to know my dollars wouldn’t make a difference at these places. In good conscience I can’t and won’t go to these places anymore.The cops already know. It’s their choice not to act. That’s my belief.

Sashaa said "More than a few dealers in my neighbourhood, I've tried to report them to BPS but I was told that I have no physical proof that they are selling drugs! That I have to video tape them doing their deals! They have huge amounts of people of all ages (kids and teenagers included) going in and only staying for 2-5 min then leaving again! I have a small child who plays outside and we've even had a shooting in our area this past winter! It was A wrong address and that docent make me feel any safer...knowing that people will shoot at the wrong house...it was reportedly over an argument over drugs! I now have a large dog for protection for my family and a lock on my gate so someone on wth can't just waltz into my yard or home....something needs to be done about this meth problem in Brandon and other towns! "

them doing their drug deals? Who told you that? Hmmm.... let the police do their jobs, I wouldn't be taking photos of anyone involved with drug dealing!

I have one answer to that question - a family member was partying one night and friends got her to try cocaine. She was almost instantly addicted. It was a "cool" sociable drug, used by many upscale people. Her use was accepted by many, even co-workers. But after a few years, she could no longer support this $100/day or more habit, so her addicted mind turned to something - anything - cheaper. Meth.  
 
I don't think many choose to be a meth addict. It is the allure of the inexpensive high that can be had, by someone already addicted to another substance. Sad.

Instead of incarceration which I think isn’t producing any clear headed results, and it costs a fortune to keep them in jail anyways... they should be sentenced to 90 days minimum in a rehab Center. They should be hired on a work crew cleaning the city, making some money and becoming contributing members of society. The other way isn’t working and they are so messed up on meth, they can’t make any good decisions whatsoever anyways.Force then to get clean and become proud strong individuals in the community.

Even rehab is a tricky thing. You can get them off the drug physically in a relatively short period of time ie: their physical dependence. Undoing the mental associations that have been developed around the habit as well as addressing the underlying deficiencies in their life that allowed that to be a possibility can be difficult and take time. I wholeheartedly agree with rehab over jail. It’s tough though. Each addiction is unique with each person having their own tangled web of issues to address.

https://www.wired.com/story/the-persistent-myth-of-speed-and-productivity/

I was a teenager in the 60s and 70s In wpgs core area. I knew people who were speed freaks. They injected speed. Bennies were also plentiful at that time. I remember going to a party and a bowl of bennies being passed around. The party lasted for days!

Fishin Guy said "My choosing of meth was a result of partying. I was drinking one night, pretty buzzed, buddy offered a line of meth. Well holly piss....the burning up my nose was insane....but then....instant sober. Party all weekend like no tomorrow. Also who needs viagra when I was on that. Love sessions lasted hours. You are invincible, full of energy, in a world where you are superman. Then I got a woman full time. Well that changed my world. It became party to escape. Using caused me to escape reality and create a whole new world, sort of like people when online. Then life spiraled out of control and I lost everything. It isn't until you lose everything you begin to rebuild. It was a struggle but hey it can be done. "

very good share. I had no clue what this experience was like. Good insight

It is financially and physically accessible to all. It is everywhere, and it is super addicting, and even when a user finds they want to stop there is little to no support. No detox at all, and very little in the way of treatment programs, or mental health support (and they go hand in hand)  
Almost all addicts are escaping, and trying their best to cope with some sort of trauma. This goes for everyone with an addiction; whether it be eating, alcohol, drugs etc.  
I could post for hours and hours. We deal with this on a first hand basis with over 200 families that have come forward.  
 
for more info join us at http://westmanfamofaddicts.ca/  
Our new website is still being worked on, but you can join in the discussion firsthand, or support our fundraising efforts to make our community healthier and safer. There is a fundraising link to our GoFundMe

Hey! said "It seems that children are being raised in hyper sheltered environments. Where everything is perfect, things are given to you instead of earned, no one is allowed to fail and they’re taught that everyone shares and listens.     No coping skills exist when they hit the reality of real life. They have no means to fight back against the struggles of life. "

People who are most at risk of addiction are not the sheltered, they are those who have experienced childhood trauma, whether it be emotional abuse, physical/sexual abuse, being in an accident, losing loved ones, medical crisis, extreme bullying, etc.  
 
These are people who have NOT been sheltered, they have experienced trauma without adequate support. When you look at an addict, the most likely experience is that you're looking at a person who has experienced childhood trauma.

Tater said "    Hey! said "It seems that children are being raised in hyper sheltered environments. Where everything is perfect, things are given to you instead of earned, no one is allowed to fail and they’re taught that everyone shares and listens.     No coping skills exist when they hit the reality of real life. They have no means to fight back against the struggles of life. " People who are most at risk of addiction are not the sheltered, they are those who have experienced childhood trauma, whether it be emotional abuse, physical/sexual abuse, being in an accident, losing loved ones, medical crisis, extreme bullying, etc.     These are people who have NOT been sheltered, they have experienced trauma without adequate support. When you look at an addict, the most likely experience is that you're looking at a person who has experienced childhood trauma. "

It's nice to see some real insight into this issue. Kids, and young adults don't choose to get addicted to anything. Far too often, addicts are blamed for their choices. Everyone has at least one thing they're addicted to, for me, it's computer games. Blaming, shaming and punishing them will NOT fix the problem. And, for those blaming the problem on the police, getting rid of drugs is like killing cock roaches with a hammer. Sure, you kill one, and 2 more show up. This problem will not go away until society can find a way to properly protect the youth from harmful parents, families and an overall negligent society that believes that some groups of people are just predestined to a life of drugs and crime.

GhOsTID said "    ElleM said "Meth you are addicted to after using it once its so powerful and you can live without it and then you just spiral out with it... (Experience from family not me) " That is untrue, there's nothing scientifically proven to cause addiction after a single use, heroin i:ncluded. "

I'm pretty sure his opinion is based on anecdotal research.

THIS INFO IS ALLEGED  
 
Prominent names in Brandon. I cannot remember the names or businesses but I was shocked as well.  
 
As bad as the drug situation is in Brandon I don’t think it’s going to get any better. Because of these names and who they are.  
Guess it has to hit close to their home before something gets done.