METH WARNING ISSUED TO KIDS AND COMMUNITY

Students throughout the Cowichan Valley public school system were
given a crystal clear message earlier this week - crystal meth is a
devastating drug.

On Tuesday, the rest of the community will get to hear the same
information at a public forum.

Presentations were made to all students ages 13 to 18 as part of a
local education and prevention project called Breaking the Cycle.

"I had a few kids come up to me and say, 'you got to me. I don't
want to do drugs anymore,'" project co-ordinator Pierre Morais said.
"That's exactly what we want. We want kids to think twice and not
take this drug."

Morais said crystal meth is a drug unlike any seen before, with
debilitating effects on the brain and nervous system.

"Youth need to know about this," Morais said. "I've talked to police
officers who have been on the job for years and have seen PCP, angel
dust, crack cocaine - crystal meth is by far the worst."

As Phase 2 of the project, Morais is accepting applications for 10
Cowichan youth to be Scared Straight.

By applying on-line at www.crystalmethproject.com before Nov. 22, 10
youth ages 13-18 will travel to Vancouver's East Side to talk to
meth users, recovered addicts, counselors and police and see
first-hand the harsh realities of the drug.

Phase 1 of the project will come to a close Tuesday with the second
community forum on the drug.

"We really hope lots of people come out," Morais said. "If you know
what you're up against, you can find ways to help your kids stay away."