THE CRYSTAL SCOURGE: VICTORIA FIGHTS BACK

Grassroots Group Determined To Come To Grips With A Growing Drug
Menace

Kerra could hardly get the words out.

"For the past two years, my daughter has had an addiction to crystal
meth," said the tearful mom, speaking Wednesday at the launch of the
Crystal Meth Victoria Society. "She's almost 16."

Kerra, who asked that her full name not be used, was among the parents
of addicts who spoke to a crowd of close to 200 at the unveiling of
the grassroots community group.

Schools, municipal and provincial governments, social agencies and
police departments were represented in the audience at the Marriott
Hotel, showing a desire to deal with a highly addictive, potentially
deadly drug that has hit the region like a wave -- especially over the
past year.

Another parent, struggling to keep her emotions in check, said that
having crystal meth affect her family was something she never expected.

"To find out that your child is caught in the grip of this drug is a
terrible thing. It's a journey that no parent should have to take."

The creation of the Crystal Meth Victoria Society comes at a time that
use of the highly addictive methamphetamine is skyrocketing in the
capital region. The number of young people using the Vancouver Island
Youth Detox Centre and reporting crystal meth as their main drug went
from 11 per cent in 2000-01 to 61 per cent in 2003-04.

Spearheading the crystal meth group are people like Mark McLaughlin,
who has a family member affected by crystal meth use and addiction.
Trying to find solutions left him and his wife "wracked with anxiety
and desperately looking for help," he said.

The couple became aware of a pressing need for information and
outreach. That eventually led to the development of the Crystal Meth
Victoria Society, along with a website aimed at guiding people to
available resources.

"We believe that the city and municipalities of Greater Victoria can
pull together to find home-grown solutions to our crystal meth
issues," McLaughlin said. "The need is definitely out there and is
growing steadily."

Nancy Pearson, another society volunteer, said the scourge of crystal
meth has already spread through many areas, particularly nearby
American states. She said crystal meth has been termed an "epidemic"
in Washington state, and the Oregon government has declared a state of
emergency, effective July 1, related to crystal meth concerns.

Pearson said she has seen the devastating effects of crystal meth on a
family member over the past eight months, and realizes the drug
affects many areas of society.

"We're seeing a steady rise in crystal meth-related crime in our
community. We're seeing support services straining to keep up with the
increasing demand to meet the needs of crystal meth addicts and their
families."

The turnout at Wednesday's launch was heartening to all involved, she
said.

"What I see here today is a community that wants to confront the
issues, wants to take charge and bring about the changes needed to
help our youth in our community be 'crystal clear'."

For Brenda Richardson, who took in Wednesday's event to support the
cause, crystal meth has also had a life-altering impact on her family.
Her 25-year-old son is currently in a detox program to deal with the
crystal meth addiction he has had for the past 10 years.

Seeing him battle the drug, which has reduced the weight on his
six-foot-three frame to 150 pounds, has been wrenching, she said. "It
has been an awful process."

Esquimalt Coun. Ruth Layne, a society member, called for immediate
steps to confront the crystal meth problem.

"Every day that passes, we lose more children and more young people to
this drug. Time for talk is over, it's time for action."

On the web: www.crystalmethbc.ca.