PREVENTION PARAMOUNT IN METH FIGHT

The increase in attention to the crystal methamphetamine phenomenon,
in some ways, appears to be having a positive effect.

Sooke RCMP Staff Sergeant Roger Plamondon related on Monday how, in
the case of Sooke and area, there does not seem to be much difference
in the situation since he was last contacted on the topic in August.

"There have been some small seizures here in the community,"
Plamondon informed. "We do have some community members who are
addicted to crystal meth, but we haven't seen labs here in the
community. That's not to say it's not a problem, just that we're not
seeing large amounts of it here in town."

Carrie Peter is a Sooke resident who has looked at the problem in
depth. Last year, prior to a wave of media attention to crystal meth,
she attended a workshop in Victoria staged by the Crystal Meth
Society. She had been involved in a downtown project.

"Not being aware of the implications, impacting a community, it
really opened my eyes to the fact that Sooke was at risk as well."
Peter continued, "Unfortunately in a lot of cases, until it directly
affects someone, people tend to bury their head a little bit." Peter
added that the public focus on the problem is helping. She identified
an effort known as the Navigator Project as being particularly helpful.

As far as rehabilitation programs, Peter said, "There still isn't
direct assistance here, other than tapping into people through the
Navigator Project. But as far as direct beds and whatnot out here in
Sooke, unfortunately, there are none available."

Jim MacSporran works with the Navigator Project through the Sooke
Family Services Society, and said Monday he is "not seeing it
reported a lot" by young people he comes in contact with. MacSporran
added that, in his opinion, the Navigator Project has been helpful in
raising awareness of the dangers involved with crystal meth use.

"If nothing else," said MacSporran, "I've been able to go out and
supply information and knowledge, and knowledge is power."

Gordon Planes is a cultural youth worker who is involved on behalf of
the T'Souke Nation, and also the Pacheedaht and Beecher Bay first Nations.

"I'm sure every community has a crystal meth problem, I'm just not
sure to what extent."

Like MacSporran and the Navigator Project, Planes said he is involved
predominently in the prevention end.

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