METH TASK FORCE ASKS TO TAKE PRESENTATIONS INTO SCHOOLS

Maple Ridge's Crystal Meth Task Force May Have a Chance to Further
Educate Local Youth About the Use and Abuse of Meth.

Task force chair Mary Robson gave a brief presentation to school
trustees at Wednesday's board meeting, highlighting what the
organization is about and suggesting an opportunity to bring
presentations into schools to warn youth away from the devastating street drug.

"About three years ago we became aware of [meth] because of the
[Salvation Army] Caring Place's work with the people on the streets,"
Robson told trustees.

"It has been around for a long time, but it seems to be taking a
larger toll on the community."

Trustees said they will discuss ways to integrate the task force's
approach into the district strategy on substance abuse prevention.

Trustee Dave Rempel said that while he disagrees with the
one-substance focus, he knows his colleagues and the task force alike
are striving for the same goal, which is to prevent local youth from
ever starting drug use.

Robson said she has scores of information she has collected over the
years that can be used in a presentation to students, the most
effective of which comes from the Montana Meth Project.

A recent initiative by the provincial government is a good start for
B.C., she said, but ought to be more hard hitting, as the Montana project is.

"I want not to do the scare tactics, it's a wake-up call," she said.

What the task force hopes to do is come to schools with a
presentation, not become part of the curriculum.

Robson said that, in addition to the information collected, the task
force also has bracelets and T-shirts encouraging youth to "be
crystal clear" and provides test kits to the Caring Place.

In an ideal world, she would have meth testing be done in schools if
the parents requested it, as is done in California. That currently is
not allowed, nor can it be written into the Youth Diversion program
contract. Task force representatives are currently meeting with
federal politicians to see what can be done on that front.

The school board noted it is possible they could put a notice in
school newsletters informing that testing is available through the task force.

Trustees will take the issue to the district facilitator for social
responsibility, Maureen Mason, prior to her upcoming presentation to
the board to see how the task force's approach can be integrated into
the existing model.

The school district was involved with the task force at its inception
for three months, and has continued to use a video on crystal meth
use ever since, said board chair Cheryl Ashlie.

The Crystal Meth Task Force has been working with Alouette Addictions, as well.

Robson said no costs have fallen upon the organization, nor would
they fall on the school district if presentations were introduced.
The task force would provide all speakers, facilitators and others at
its own cost.

For more on the Crystal Meth Task Force, visit
www.crystalmethtaskforce.com. For more on the Montana Meth Project,
visit www.montanameth.org.