Police in Queen Charlotte are seeing more signs suggesting chemical drugs like ecstasy and crystal meth are here on the islands.
Sergeant Neil Hogg says they have not made any seizures yet, but he knows the drugs are here.
The Queen Charlotte RCMP put out a news release warning that many users see chemical drugs as harmless "feel-good" substances. Users may feel like they are in control, but can easily become psychologically and physically addicted to these drugs.
Crystal meth or methamphetamine acts on the cerebral cortex of the brain, which accounts for the initial rush, anxiety, depression, mental confusion, aggressiveness, and poor judgement of the user. High doses can lead to delusions and hallucinations. The inevitable crash includes deep depression, fatigue, headaches and decreased energy.
Eighty percent of users that try meth for the first time become addicted. The rate jumps to 100 percent after the second use. Users go on binges, staying up for three to 10 days at a time. The drug can cause permanent brain and nerve damage.
Ecstasy stimulates the nervous system and has hallucinogenic properties. It intensifies the sense of touch and taste and enhances interpersonal feelings. It can also trigger paranoia, panic and can create dangerously high body temperatures, rapid breathing and kidney failure. Users have died after ingesting ecstasy, often from kidney or cardiovascular failure.