PROVINCE, LOCAL GROUPS TEAM UP TO FIGHT METH

OCEANSIDE - Tougher sentencing of crystal meth lab operators and
continuing vigilance towards catching them when they buy precursor
chemicals are two of the issues being raised in relation to the
abuses and social harm crystal meth continues to cause in
communities across the province.

The drug, once simply known as speed but now available in more
potent and addictive forms known on the street as ice, jib or
crystal is again receiving attention in light of concern raised by
municipal officials at the recently completed Union of B.C.
Municipalities in Victoria.

Sparwood mayor David Wilks says B.C should follow the lead of states
such as Montana which require hardware stores to insist on
identification and allows them to collect names from purchasers of
meth components such as ammonia, battery acid and paint thinner.

"British Columbia does not have that," he said.

In B.C. monitoring of meth's ingredients is ongoing through the Meth
Watch program, a voluntary and well-received retailer program which
trains employees to watch for suspicious or large-scale buying
behaviour of the drugs precursors.

In recent years the government has responded to the increasingly
obvious social ills emerging in the wake of meth's increased
popularity, especially among youth, marginalized street people and
certain members of the all night aErave' scene.

In Oct. 2005 Premier Gordon Campbell announced a $7 million
initiative to combat the spread of crystal meth use and addiction.

Since then there's been a joint agreement between ministries and the
Society of Organized Services in Parksville to find and pay for two
supported recovery beds to be run out of a private home.

Additionally, two half time addictions counselors are now offering
services in Parksville under the auspice of a contract between ADAPT
and the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

In Oceanside, since the completion of a community-based task force's
work last winter, indications are meth use is largely curbed.

"Ex-users tell us they're not using anymore," says Cpl. Garry Cox of
the local RCMP detachment. "We're finding less and less of it around."

Cox adds that petty crime often considered related to users needing
quick cash for their next high also appears to have dropped.

A recently-hired youth addictions counselor at Parksville's SOS
Child, Youth and Family Centre says there is always a need for beds
to care for youth in trouble with drugs but meth use appears to have
waned with many turning to alcohol instead.

Publication of an easy access guide to social services available in
Oceanside also resulted form the task force's work.

Expected is an education program on the drug's dangers which will be
rolled out across District 69 (Qualicum) schools in the near future.

Education Minister Shirley Bond announced $3 million to go towards
educational programming last week.