METH HELPERS

Editor:

On Saturday, over 100 people gathered at the Greg Moore Youth Centre
to partake in a forum on crystal meth and more than 60 per cent were youth.

The free t-shirts and food may have been a drawing card, but for the
youth who gave up their Saturday night to partake in a forum to learn
more about crystal meth are to be commended. It was very rewarding
for the organizers of the event.

The main presenters were Mark McLaughlin and Marilyn Erickson of the
Victoria Crystal Meth Society. The program they delivered was the
same one they have shown to over 10,000 students in Victoria and
other island communities. What was most impressive was the caliber of
questions the youth asked. It showed the level of attention they paid
to the information provided and there is no doubt that they will
share what they learned about meth with their peers and family. That
alone made the event worthwhile and can be considered a success.

I would like to thank The TIMES for providing advertising of the event.

Kudos to Rani Bellwood, chairperson of the Life or Meth Youth Forum
Organization Committee, Toni Cotroneo, Youth Services Coordinator,
the Greg Moore Youth Centre staff and the many youth who volunteered.
And many thanks to the Haney and Meadowridge Rotary Clubs who
co-sponsored the event with the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Crystal
Meth Task Force along with London Drugs, Starbucks, Save On Foods,
Shoppers Drug Mart, Panago Pizza and Crumbs Bakery who donated product.

The next forum will be on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Pitt Meadows
Leisure Centre beginning at 7:30 p.m. and then Saturday, Oct. 21 at
the Katzie Hall.

Mary Robson,

chairperson Maple Ridge Crystal Meth Task Force