PROVINCE TAKING AIM AT CRYSTAL METH SURGE

Alarmed by the speed at which crystal meth is claiming lives and seducing
youth, the province is devising a preventive and combative strategy due out
this summer, according B.C. Minister of State for Mental Health and
Addiction Services Susan Brice Sunday.

"I consider this a high urgency. I've met with all my colleagues. We have
directed our deputies to pull together the issues and the data," said Brice.

Brice said her ministry's plan will be ready "within months."

"We are harnessing all of our resources," she said.

The co-ordinated inter-ministerial approach involves ministers of health,
education, solicitor general and more.

A framework document on illegal and legal substance abuse -- a best
practices guide for health authorities throughout the province -- will be
put out at the end of May for evaluation and feedback, said Brice.

But the issue of crystal meth is so critical it will be dealt with
separately, albeit "in harmony" with other substance abuse strategies, said
Brice.

"(Crystal meth) needs a tailored response because of the communities'
concerns... and the health professionals indicating to us this is a really
serious issue.

"The age at which the young people of this province and across the country
are exposed to the potential of taking crystal meth is so alarming that it
absolutely has to be dealt with," said Brice.

The highly addictive synthetic drug, similar to crack cocaine, became a
trend in Hawaii and jumped to California, where it moved up the West Coast.

It's growth in popularity can be attributed to the fact it is easy to make
- -- instructions are on the Internet and ingredients can be bought at any
hardware store -- and cheap to buy --a tenth of a gram is just $10.

Some health educators suggest prevention programs must start in Grade 8.

In a recent Vancouver study, of 265 pills sold as the lust-inducing Ecstasy
in the rave and club scene, 65 per cent turned out to be crystal meth.

According to B.C.'s chief coroner Terry Smith, the number of
methamphetamine deaths is climbing each year -- the majority of victims are
young males.

Victoria Coun. Dean Fortin and Greater Victoria school board chairwoman
Charley Beresford recently went to Seattle on a methamphetamine fact
finding mission.

They concluded the city found itself in a full-blown epidemic before they
knew it existed.

Victoria Sgt. Darren Laur estimated last week there are up to 30 dealers on
downtown streets peddling the drug.

The federal government is expected to announce today a Canada-wide study to
establish a data base, as part of its national drug strategy.

While B.C. is viewed as progressive in terms of low tobacco smoking rate
and harm reduction strategies -- needle-exchanges, safe injection sites and
sobering centres -- the province is enthusiastic about updated data to
better target federal and provincial resources, said Brice.