PROVINCE PUSHING STUDENTS AWAY FROM CRYSTAL METH

The provincial government is hoping to combat crystal meth - which
addicts one in five who try it - with a public education campaign in
B.C. classrooms.

The $3-million school-based program and public education campaign
targets students, parents and teachers. It includes: classroom
lessons and resources that help youth make healthy and informed
decisions, teacher resources that support classroom lessons, a
parents' guide to provide them with the information needed to talk to
their children about crystal meth and a website, called www.no2meth.ca.

It features interactive games, activities and information on the
effects and the dangers of the drug and how to help a child or friend
who is using it, along with a public-awareness campaign.

The site also has a resource network for teachers, parents and
students to educate them about crystal meth and the health risks
linked to its use. It offers parents information on talking with
their child about substance use, and tells students what they can do
if a friend has talked about using crystal meth.

Connie Denesiuk, chairman for Okanagan Skaha school district,
believes the campaign will provide schools with additional
educational tools and resources to address the growing concerns about
crystal meth.

Denesiuk said crystal meth is a terrible drug that has been seeping
into society and into schools and it's paramount to drive home the
facts about the danger. She noted there are a number of programs in
schools to educate students on drug and alcohol prevention and
implore them to stay away from these unhealthy and ultimately
life-threatening practices.

Statistics on crystal meth stated that according to recent studies of
B.C. secondary schools, about five per cent of students in grades
7-12 may have used the drug, and that most first-time users occurs in
Grades 9-10.

Bill Bidlake, principal of Princess Margaret Secondary, said that the
three secondary schools in the Okanagan Skaha School District have
programs dealing with drug and alcohol use.

Bidlake said that Planning 10, a four-credit course that students
need to graduate brings into the open discussion about many different
issues facing teenagers, including the areas of personal health and
safety as they relate to drugs and alcohol.

In addition, a counsellor from Pathways Addiction Resource Centre is
also available at Princess Margaret to speak with students about any
concerns or problems relating to drugs or alcohol use.

At Penticton Secondary School, principal Pete Corcoran said crystal
meth is a drug that has been on their radar for a long time and is
something schools have had to deal with before.

"For the past five-to-seven years, crystal meth has emerged as
something that draws our attention, although not in epidemic
proportions," said Corcoran.

"What concerns us most are the addiction stats on crystal meth that
say 20 per cent of those who use it become addicted."

Corcoran noted how the program and in particular the website is
taking an integrated and innovative approach to dealing with the
growing problems surrounding the drug.

At the 2005 Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention
Premier Gordon Campbell committed $7 million in funding toward new
initiatives to fight the use of crystal meth.