CRYSTAL METH FORUM COMING

CRYSTAL METH is spreading rapidly and education is the key to keeping
the deadly drug out of the hands of local youth, says a regional RCMP officer.

That's the message to be conveyed June 6 during a public forum at
City Hall with Const. Dale Kendall, the drug and organized crime
awareness coordinator for the Northwest District.

"It's (crystal meth) not prevalent in our area. That's why we're
working on the preventive aspect of things to prevent it from coming
into northern communities," she said last week. "I would say the main
message is to be aware. Knowledge is power and when you have that
power, you have the information to make proper choices with your life."

Crystal meth has reached larger centres such as Prince George and
it's only a matter of time before it spreads all over the province,
she said. The session, organized by Terrace RCMP Constable Rochelle
Patenaude and Joan Risavy of the Northwest Regional Hospital
District, will help educate the public on crystal meth and cocaine,
including information on how to spot a meth lab. In addition to
Kendall, a recovering meth addict is scheduled to speak.

Kendall said crystal meth is poison.

"It's sheer toxic what people are putting into their systems," she
said, adding that some addicts lose their teeth and suffer brain damage.

Awareness of this potentially fatal drug is quite widespread, she said.

"Crystal meth is so prevalent in the media. I think that's why
everybody is just sitting up and taking notice of the effects and
damage it can do to people and communities."

The stigma attached to crystal meth is what stops people from using it.

"No one grows up saying 'I want to be a crystal meth addict.' They're
never been taught how to cope with life and that's their coping
mechanism unfortunately."

Const. Kendall speaks at City Hall from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. June 6. For
more information contact Joan at 615-6125.