GOV'T TARGETS METH WITH MORE FUNDS

Will Pay For New Treatment Beds, Counselling, Addiction Services

Crystal-meth addiction will be a key target today as Victoria
announces $8 million in new funding for meth-treatment options and
youth-addictions services.

The money will be distributed across six health authorities.

Two million dollars will be specifically targeted at crystal-meth
treatment programs and $6 million to youth-addictions treatment.

Health Minister George Abbott is to link the new funds to a
75-per-cent hike in the number of treatment beds for youth addictions.

Under the plan, the new money will bring the total number of
addictions-treatment beds in B.C. to 1,038, with 158 focused on youth.

The targeted crystal-meth spending continues Liberal efforts to deal
with a substance Premier Gordon Campbell has described as a "dirty,
filthy drug" that "ruins people's lives."

Crystal meth is one of the street names for methamphetamine, an
addictive stimulant easily and cheaply made from store-bought goods.
It produces an extended, extreme high, but is highly addictive and
can cause brain damage.

Since last September, the Liberals have announced $9 million in
anti-meth funding.

At the annual convention of the Union of B.C. Municipalities last
September, Campbell promised a $7-million meth strategy that included
a $3-million public-awareness campaign, $2 million for treatment
programs and $2 million in specific funding for communities.

Last month, Finance Minister Carole Taylor pledged $2 million over
three years to a Crystal Meth Secretariat to co-ordinate efforts to
quell the production and use of crystal meth.

Now the province is committing $2 million annually, as well as the $6
million for larger youth addictions issues.

Today's new money, to be announced by Abbott, is headed in two key directions.

Some $6 million is aimed at increasing the capacity of treatment
services for youth and to develop new services. And $2 million is
being earmarked for so-called "targeted-treatment programs" such as
individual and group counselling, and to support recovery for meth
users and their families.

Vancouver Coastal Health is due for a $454,915 share of the meth
money and will today unveil a strategy of a public-information
program, studies and further treatment. Some 3,000 people in the
authority's area are addicted to crystal meth.

Today's announcements also include the launch of a Web-based pool of
information on crystal meth -- www.methfacts.org.

WHO GETS THE CASH

The $8 million will go to:

- - Vancouver Coastal Health, $2,183, 915.

- - Fraser Health, $1,964,558.

- - Vancouver Island Health Authority, $1,539,324.

- - Interior Health, $1,261,421.

- - Northern Health, $426,662.

- - Provincial Health Services Authority, $624,120.