NO2METH MESSAGE ON THE ROAD

It's A Tall Order, but Surrey Is Mounting a Full-Court Press.

The target is crystal methamphetamine, a plague destroying young
people's lives, endangering community safety and creating an alarming
spree of property crime that includes cars, homes, businesses and
even the social service agencies whose purpose is to help the victims
of substance abuse.

On Thursday, politicians, business representatives, Surrey
firefighters, ICBC and the Surrey Board of Trade collected to herald
a new initiative to fight the proliferation of crystal meth.

Surrey school district and School Fleet Media unveiled its "no2meth"
school vehicle ad campaign, which sees district trucks emblazoned
with graphics targeting teen drug abuse. Other corporations,
including the Surrey Board of Trade and Career Gate Community
College, are also featuring the fleet graphics on their vans.

The message, "meth takes YOU out of the picture," and graphics are
those featured in the province's "no2meth" school-based program and
public education campaign.

The aim is increasing awareness of the danger of crystal meth and
creating dialogue between parents and their kids. The promotion
directs parents, kids and teachers to source information at the
province's website, www.no2meth.ca, and the school district's
website, www.psst-bc.ca.

"We are doing all we can to fight this. We believe awareness and
education are key in deterring young people from substance abuse,"
said Reni Massey, school district vice-chair.

"The more awareness we can provide to our young people about the
dangers of crystal meth, the better. To be successful, we all have to
work together, and we will, and we'll deal with this very serious issue."

Other recent measures include full-time substance abuse liaison staff
in schools, the Protecting Surrey Schools Together website and a new
video developed in concert with the manager of Safe Schools and the
Surrey Meth Task Force.

Crystal meth is easy and cheap to make, easy to get and cheap to buy,
said Mark Tatchell, executive director, Strategic Justice
Partnerships with the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Surrey Fire Chief Len Garris pointed out the grave danger crystal
meth labs present to neighbouring residences and to emergency
responders. Of 33 labs shut down recently, 40 per cent were
discovered because of fire explosions, he said. Surrey firefighters
are part of the National Meth Watch Program to educate retailers
about the materials sold to make crystal methamphetamine.