HELPING PORT ALBERNI BECOME CRYSTAL CLEAR

Crystal Meth BC Gives Kids The Goods On How The Harsh Drug Ruins Lives

Crystal meth is cheap, easy to make and easy to get.

That's why the Crystal Meth Society of BC wants people in Port
Alberni to put on their meth glasses.

"People think it is just another drug," explained Mark McLaughlin,
executive director of Crystal Meth BC. "It isn't. Meth is a clear and
present danger.

It is more dangerous than any other drug. This is not a recreational drug."

McLaughlin and David Banford spent two days in Port Alberni holding
talks on the dangers of methamphetamine (crystal meth) for the
society. It is the first time these talks have come to Port Alberni,
and McLaughlin hopes they have arrived soon enough. He said it is
extremely important that they educate the public in an attempt to
stop the grip this drug already has on Port Alberni.

Although it is hard to know for sure, McLaughlin believes meth is a
problem here, but it hasn't taken over the community yet, like it has
in places like Nanaimo and Victoria.

"It is still at a point where we can beat it," he said.

But the key to that will be opening people's eyes to the danger it presents.

In their talk McLaughlin and Banford are up front and honest with the
audience, often so much so that people have to look away when graphic
images are put up on the screen.

"This is tough to see," McLaughlin said. "But we have to show it."

During his presentation, McLaughlin shows students and adults the
reality of what crystal meth can do to their lives, even if they try
it only once.

He explained to them that almost everything that goes into crystal
meth has a skull and cross bones on it.

"And when that goes into your system, each time a little bit of the
poison is left behind," he said.

In a short video on the subject, people share first-hand accounts of
what meth has done to them. How it has stolen the past, present and
future. The video includes shocking images, and a quick look around
the room proves that it is hitting home. Many students have to look
away, others fight back tears.

McLaughlin explained why it is important to be so upfront and honest
with the audience, which is predominantly made up of teens.

"If they understand what it will cost them then maybe they won't get
involved," he said.

The cost of meth is something they both know first-hand, McLaughlin
because he watched his child go through it and Banford because he was
once addicted himself.

"I grew up in Port Alberni," Banford explained. "I tried it at 19. I
was hooked from the first time. After three months I had lost
everything and was in jail."

Banford is now 29, and crystal meth has stolen close to a decade of
his life. He got involved with Crystal Meth BC because he doesn't
want other people to make the same mistake he has.

"If I had seen this show, I wouldn't have tried it," he said.

Banford believes Port Alberni is not ready for crystal meth, making
raising awareness more important than in other communities.

"We've got to get the message out before it gets out of control," he explained.

The presentation is the first step, but not the last. McLaughlin said
they have to be even more aggressive when warning people about the
dangers of this drug. At the moment the society is focused on
reaching students in Grades 6 to 12. But some of the feedback they
have received indicates that there is a demand for some form of
education for the younger grades. At the moment that is what the
society is investigating, something that will talk to students as
young as in Grade 4.

In their visit to Port Alberni last week close to 900 students
attended their presentation, but provincewide the numbers are close
to 40,000 since they began in 2005. Although that may seem like a
large number, McLaughlin said it actually only works out to about six
per cent of students in the province. McLaughlin is determined to
reach the rest, because he believes the talks are making a difference.

The surveys they ask students to fill out following the presentation
back up this belief. When asked if they know someone who has used the
drug, 22% of students said yes. In communities across the province,
37% indicated they believe the drug is easy to get. When asked if
they would use meth after seeing the show, 95% said no, and 96%
thought others should see it.

McLaughlin said the other important thing they learned from the
surveys is that 44% of the students said they knew someone who uses
the street drug ecstasy. McLaughlin said that is important because
many times it is cut with meth. The same can be said with other
street drugs like cocaine and marijuana. He said that is especially
dangerous because youth can take crystal meth without even knowing it.

McLaughlin explained it is also one more way drug dealers target
youth, driving home the importance of the society's talks. He wants
people to be "Crystal Clear" on the topic.

"We want people to put on their meth glasses and make sense of it
all," McLaughlin said.

If you want more information go to the society's website at
www.crystalmetbc.ca or e-mail info@crystalmethbc.ca.