METH MENACE ROUSES B.C. TO ACTION

RESPONSE: Province article spurs people to reveal personal toll drug has taken

Community groups and individuals are increasingly concerned about the abuse
of crystal meth in B.C.

As The Province disclosed last Sunday, coroner's figures show that in 2004,
33 B.C. residents died with the drug in their system -- compared to just 15
in 2003.

That revelation triggered a flood of letters and e-mails to the newspaper,
many containing harrowing tales of families torn apart and lives destroyed
by the drug.

You can read a selection of those letters in today's paper on the Opinion
page, A23.

Crystal meth -- which in different form used to be called speed -- can
cause permanent brain damage and is highly addictive. Easily concocted in
homemade laboratories from readily available ingredients, crystal meth is
cheap to make and cheap to buy.

Authorities say raising public awareness is key to slowing meth's spread
and preventing more young people from becoming addicted.

Letters from readers also called for recognition of the efforts being made
by community organizations and local officials to stem the drug's tide.

Provincewide, intensive lobbying of government is being done and grassroots
efforts are under way, designed to tackle the issue of meth addiction head on.

One inspiring story is told on the opposite page today. It's about how the
community of Maple Ridge recognized a major methamphetamine problem in its
midst and got together to establish a task force to clean up the mess.

(For information about that community's efforts, check out
http://beta.dcom.ca.)

In another example, on Vancouver Island, a group of young actors has teamed
up to fight crystal-meth abuse among young teens in an interactive,
provocative play.

Directed by Malaspina contract instructor Steven Noble, Crystal Diagnosis
details one year in the life of a 15-year-old who falls into the crystal
meth lifestyle.

The play premiered in November in Duncan and is heading on the road for a
series of shows from Parksville to Victoria in coming weeks.

"It's getting a lot of notice. The schools are starting to take notice of
it," Noble said.

Police are also taking note. The RCMP has asked that the play be presented
to Grade 7, 8 and 9 students taking drug-resistance education courses.

If you know of an initiative in your community against crystal meth and
would like to share it with Province readers, send the information by fax
to 604-605-2223 or e-mail to tabtips@png.canwest.com.

Where to Get Help

Kaiser Foundation

www.kaiserfoundation.ca

B.C. Partners for Mental Health www.heretohelp.ca

Prevention Source B.C.

www.preventionsource.bc.ca

Early Psychosis Intervention

www.psychosissucks.ca

Crystal Meth Anonymous

totallyflysista@hotmail.com

scoot_dog81@hotmail.com

Narcotics Anonymous www.bcrscna.bc.ca/meetings/listings

Covenant House

www.covenanthousebc.org

Crystal Recovery

www.crystalrecovery.com

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse www.ccsa.ca

Watari Youth Day Treatment Program

604-438-3755

Family Services of Greater Vancouver

604-872-4349

Narconon Detox Centre 1-866-266-6616

Methamphetamine Response Committee 604-736-2033