CRYSTAL METH PROGRAM IN JEOPARDY

A renowned Kamloops program that helps youths get off highly addictive
crystal meth has been suspended and its future is unknown.

Meth Kickers, operated by the Phoenix Centre, was highlighted by CBC's
Fifth Estate in March 2004 and has been held up by politicians as a
model to follow in treating youths hooked on crystal meth.

But Phoenix Centre executive director Jerry Nordoft said the last
program finished in March and another one isn't in the works at this
time.

"It was a lot of work for the counsellors, very exhausting. It'll be
up to the counsellors to make that decision," he said.

Instead, the counsellors might look at creating a program aimed at
binge drinking, said Nordoft.

Patrick McDonald, a Phoenix Centre youth councillor, said Meth Kickers
has had a high profile -- in part due to the CBC-TV exposure -- but it
was also costly to run.

"We're looking at whether we can run it that way, or run it in a
different way," he said.

"Hopefully by September we'll have something."

Last fall, Premier Gordon Campbell announced $3 million on a major
public awareness program to point out the lethal nature of crystal
meth.

"I can tell you today also that we will be allocating $2 million for
targeted treatment services and programs, like the Meth Kickers
program in Kamloops, so that we can provide the treatment that people
deserve," he said at the time.

Five months later, in February, B.C. Finance Minister Carole Taylor
referred to the Kamloops program in her budget speech. It said: "$2
million is going to initiatives to increase access to treatment,
including such things as the Meth Kickers pilot program in Kamloops,
specialized treatment for psychosis and outreach to youth at risk."

In March, the province said it was making $8 million for youth
addictions and crystal meth treatment an annual budget item. Of that
amount, the Interior Health Authority got $1,261,421.

Rae Sampson, manager for community mental health and addictions, said
Thursday the IHA has a number of initiatives to help those with
crystal meth but also other addictions.

"Meth Kickers was a really good pilot. We learned a lot about doing
things slightly differently," she said.

"People focus on one program as the answer" but there must be a range
of services available, she said.

While it's important to keep aware of crystal meth, statistics point
out there are more youths affected by binge drinking and alcohol, she
said.

The IHA has funding for one nursing position for a crystal meth
specialist who will work with clients needing ongoing outreach and
life skills treatment, she said.

As well, there are two new nurse/counsellor positions created for the
Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap who will deal with addictions, including
crystal meth, she said.

"We're looking at them running a day treatment program for
addictions," Sampson said.

"We tried to move the focus away from treating crystal meth
exclusively. But we are incorporating them in the overall system."

IHA also hired a youth disorder therapist who, with a youth outreach
worker, deals with clients in the community.

And a mobile treatment program will travel around among Kamloops,
Williams Lake, Barriere, Clearwater, Lillooet and wherever else it's
needed, she said.

"With youth, we need to do outreach. In-office counselling models
aren't particularly effective," Sampson said, adding programs will be
adapted to focus on whatever issues are predominant in a community,
whether it's alcohol, cocaine, crystal meth or something else.

Youths can still access detox and counsellors at Phoenix Centre, they
just won't have Meth Kickers specifically dedicated to that one drug,
she said.

One of Meth Kickers' early graduates was sad to see it go.

Andrew, who didn't want his last name used, said he went through the
program about two years ago and helped design some facets of it.

"Amphetamine addiction is really hard to get over. It's really
difficult," he said. "Meth is very, very psychologically addictive."

One of the big focuses was to get youths hooked on crystal meth to eat
well.

"When you're doing crystal, you don't eat properly," he said.

"It was definitely a good program. Having amphetamine addicts sit with
other amphetamine addicts is a positive thing. Everyone's on the same
page."

Andrew said he's tried other narcotics support groups, but the
camaraderie wasn't the same.

"What was really great about Meth Kickers is it targeted meth addiction."