PROVINCE TACKLES TROUBLING PROBLEMS AROUND CRYSTAL METH

Community Forums To Follow Week-Long Series Of Articles

The striking pictures in today's Unwind magazine section (B1) dramatically
underscore the growing problems related to the use in B.C. of crystal
methamphetamine.

A young man, his brain addled with the drug, throws himself stark naked
from a hotel window, believing that the police officers who have come to
investigate the disturbance are "demons" coming to get him. Fortunately in
this case, the young man fell into some overhead wires which broke his fall
to almost certain death. He was later rescued unhurt.

Others are not so lucky. Also in today's Unwind section, Province reporter
Matthew Ramsey tells the story of Ryan Jackson, whose addiction to crystal
meth led to his suicide, despite the heroic efforts of his mom, Kerry, to
get him help.

Today's stories serve as a grim but timely introduction to a special series
of articles to appear in The Province starting Monday and running all week.
The series looks at the stories of ordinary British Columbians who find
themselves caught up in the misery of meth abuse. It explores potential
solutions to this growing epidemic, looking at treatment options and
possible changes to drug laws.

This series was inspired at least in part by a huge response from readers
following earlier articles about crystal meth that appeared in The Province
in February. It was clear there was a deep desire for more information.

We felt we had the resources and contacts to bring this issue to light and
to identify ways to help educate the community about the evils of this drug.

We hope our series will stimulate a lively debate and, with that aim in
mind, we have organized a series of community forums to which you, our
readers, are invited. Experts will be on hand to shed new light on our subject.

The forums take place in Kamloops on April 26, Victoria on May 2, Surrey on
May 3 and Vancouver on May 5. You'll find all the details in next Sunday's
paper or online at:
www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/features/crystalmeth/index.html

On the same website, you will also be able to access, free of charge, all
the articles in our series the day following publication.

The Province has a proud and honoured history of tackling tough subjects in
the interests of helping to improve our readers' lives. Our stories on
crystal meth, and the forums, are in keeping with that tradition.