CRYSTAL CLEAR ON FUNDS

Catching up: Time lag between editorial and funding approval.

Further to the July 5 and 12 Salmon Arm Observer editorial pieces on
Meth Task Force funding and Interior Health funding, the Crystal Clear
On Meth Task Force (CCOM) feels the need to clarify the UBCM funding
response.

At the time of the July 5 article, the Union of BC Municipalities
(UBCM) had funded $20,000.00 of the $30,000 requested, leaving the
task force concerned about their ability to meet proposed
obligations.

Within days of the article, UBCM came through with the other $10,000
and let there be no mistake, the task force is very appreciative of
the funding as we are committed to all three communities of Salmon
Arm, Sicamous and Enderby regardless of funding.

We can now comfortably move forward with projects that will reduce the
impact of substance misuse in our communities and begin to address
some of the identified gaps in response.

Following the first article, and caught in the reporting warp before
the next editorial on July 12, was the happy news of the final $10,000.

Due to brevity and a focus on positive news about Interior Health
funding around Mental Health and Addictions service, this editorial
piece left the impression that the task force had received no funding
at all from UBCM.

We wish to be very clear on the role played by UBCM in funding an area
plan for methamphetamine and substance misuse response.

The definitive word would be 'huge.'

We would not be moving forward on a four-project plan encompassing
three communities without their support.

The task force has also placed a request to be considered for
additional funding for the rural communities of the Columbia Shuswap
Regional District and are awaiting a response.

Each regional district, like each municipality, had access to
$10,000.

The Columbia Shuswap's $10,000 was applied for and allotted to the
Golden municipality and its rural area, leaving the greater part of
the regional district without funding for a meth response campaign.

The Meth Task Force would like to expand their efforts to respond to
rural requests for help, but do not have the resources without
additional funding.

We are confident that if funding is available after all other
applications are met, that our proposal will be given
consideration.

To clear up any confusion about UBCM meth response funding, this money
is, in fact, provincial health funding distributed through local
government/community partnerships and is designed to build 'community
capacity' around methamphetamine use, substance use and addictions
response.

The Meth Task Force looks forward to working with local governments
and other key stakeholders to further a community response strategy
that embraces the five pillars of prevention; treatment-recovery-support,
enforcement, harm reduction and political advocacy, and ultimately
ensures safer, healthier communities for the Shuswap-North Okanagan.

Wondering how you can help or needing more information? E-mail
crystalclearonmeth@sunwave.net.

To our many supporters - thank you - stay with us, we have only just
begun.

Pam Beech,

Executive member,

CCOM Task Force