MOST LOCAL YOUTH HAVE NEGATIVE VIEW OF CRYSTAL METH

It doesn't appear many Cowichan Lake youth or teenagers use crystal
meth, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be taken seriously.

Larissa Nelson of Lake Cowichan, who last spring used a $3,374
provincial government grant to put on a crystal meth forum in
Centennial Hall, said other drugs are being used that could lead to
crystal meth use.

"I think preventative is definitely the way to go,' said Nelson. "I
think it's better to be proactive rather than waiting until it
becomes a problem. Lake Cowichan has the benefit that it's small
enough that people are curious about what goes on at the neighbours
or down the street."

That "curiosity" attracted about 250 people to the crystal meth forum
last April and Nelson believes there is definitely a need for more
dialogue with the community.

Nelson said she did a mini-survey of young people in Lake Cowichan
and asked if they use drugs. She said about 60 percent of the
respondents admitted to smoking pot, but few said they use crystal
meth. However, more than 10 percent said they take ecstasy, which
Cpl. Beth Blackburn of the RCMP's Drug and Organized Crime Awareness
Service said is often laced with crystal meth.

"Many of the youth said there's a negative view of crystal meth, but
that other drugs are not a problem or that dope and alcohol aren't
that serious a problem. They seem to have a view that so-called soft
drugs aren't a problem. I think it's really an issue about drug use,
not just crystal meth use."