EDUCATION KEY IN DRUG FIGHT

Information about the dangers of crystal meth has to start at the
school level, says Burquitlam Liberal MLA Harry Bloy.

Bloy was commenting on the recent $3-million announcement by Shirley
Bond, BC's education minister, who's directing the new funding to
support anti-drug messages at schools around the province.

The aim, Bloy said, "is to get the children as well as the parents.
The parents are going to be the guiding factors to talk to their
children about this drug."

Crystal meth - or methamphetamine - has similar effects to cocaine.
The man-made drug can be made with cold-medication ingredients and
other chemicals like acetone, drain cleaner and paint thinner.

Bloy said the drug is so additive that users can be hooked within a
couple of weeks - with devastating consequences.

The danger of abusing other drugs, like pot, is that they can be laced
with meth. "It can fry your brain," Bloy said of meth.

Bloy, as well as Port Moody-Westwood Liberal MLA Iain Black, has
attended some of the province's community crystal meth forums around
BC this year.

At the forums, which were set up by Solicitor-General John Les,
participants hear about meth use and production from Terry Waterhouse
of the University College of the Fraser Valley. Angela Marshall of
Fraser House also addresses the drug's health effects and risks.

Though the most recent forum was in April in Richmond, the ministry
currently has no plans for further sessions, said Mark Tatchell of the
Crystal Meth Secretariat, a branch of the ministry of solicitor
general and public safety.

But crystal meth "remains a priority for the minister," Tatchell said,
noting a clinic attended by 70 mayors and councillors held at the
UBCM, discussing the province's strategy to combat the drug.