A CONCRETE METH STEP

Well, what do you know? The provincial government is finally
recognizing the plague crystal meth is on society - from our
health-care system to our justice system - and is trying to do
something about it.

Education Minister Shirley Bond unveiled a $3-million crystal meth
education program for B.C. schools last week.

The program is aimed at students, parents and teachers and includes
classroom lessons and resources to help youth make healthy choices,
teacher resources that support those lessons, a parents' guide to
help them talk to their kids about drugs and an interactive website
featuring games and activities for kids.

According to Bond, the government's research has shown that about
five per cent of students in grades 7 to 12 may have tried crystal meth.

"And the best way to stop someone from using it is to keep them from
ever starting," notes Bond.

We agree.

We're cautiously optimistic that this additional funding will pay off
in the long run and we'll see tangible results in the categories of
health, education, social welfare and justice.

And we truly hope the government means what it says and provides
teachers with promised and proper resources to implement this
school-based program.

Anyone who has ever witnessed the ravages of crystal meth - from the
obvious physical scarring on an individual's face to the less visible
breakdown of their families - knows that the human toll is too high
for us not to be serious and resolute in this process.