CRYSTAL METH - THE LATEST SUBSTANCE TEMPTING YOUTH

Crystal Meth Is the Latest Substance to Tempt Youth and Other Drug Addicts.

Pushers' targets are mainly youth because of the drug's price and
some other attributes advertised to attract young users.

Meth is also the nastiest drug to come along in a long time - a scary
concoction of lethal chemicals found for sale in hardware and corner stores.

It can destroy lives at the first try. But the fight against crystal
meth cannot be undertaken on its own - it is just one part of a drug
culture that society must address.

Counselling addicts and treating their addictions is the job of the
Vancouver Island Health Authority. VIHA's response to the Nanaimo
Crystal Meth Task Force was positive and gratifying.

In March 2006, VIHA announced it would fund six new treatment beds
for youth with addiction problems in the Nanaimo area.

This was the single largest public investment in addictions treatment
in Nanaimo and it was a direct response to the work of crystal meth
task forces up and down Vancouver Island and around the province.

New provincial resources were found to aid communities in their fight
against crystal meth and these resources have provided important
benefits for Nanaimo.

Similar energy and resources were committed by School District 68
trustees to make sure students in Nanaimo benefit from the most
up-to-date information, delivered at the most appropriate time in their lives.

New programs, new approaches to delivering them, and a focus on
younger students are the results of the work of the task force.