The Emerging Issue of Crystal Methamphetamine Use in First Nations Communities
A Discussion Paper

First Nations Centre
May 2006

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
PART I
CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE: WHAT IS IT?
WHO USES CRYSTAL METH
HOW CRYSTAL METH IS USED
HOW CRYSTAL METH IS MADE
HOW CRYSTAL METH AFFECTS THE BODY, MIND, RELATIONSHIPS AND
THE ENVIRONMENT

PART II
GOVERNMENT, ORGANIZED CRIME AND THE PHARMACEUTICAL
INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES
CRYSTAL METH AND ILLEGAL DRUG STRATEGIES IN CANADA
FIRST NATIONS AND CRYTAL METH TREATMENT STRATEGIES

PART III
TALA TOOTOOSIS’ STORY
CRYSTAL METH ON THE NAVAJO NATION

CONCLUSIONS
APPENDIX A

1

INTRODUCTION
Crystal methamphetamine 1 use among people in some First Nations communities (both in Canada and the United States) has evolved into an issue that is requiring more and more attention. Indicative of this, in July of 2005, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in Canada passed a resolution specifically directed at this emerging issue. 2 As a result of this resolution, the AFN has identified the need for the development of a First Nations
National Task Force on Crystal Meth to develop a Strategic Action Plan to Address the
Emerging issue of Crystal Meth in First Nations Communities.
Generally speaking, this paper provides basic information about crystal methamphetamine as well as information that is First Nations specific. The first part of the paper discusses: what crystal meth is; who is using it; how it used; how it is made and; how it affects the body, mind, relationships and the environment.
In Part II, interactions between governments 3 (e.g.: health/drug strategies), large pharmaceutical companies and organized crime are examined (e.g.: production levels of amphetamines). The role that these entities play in activities surrounding the production and sale of crystal