VILLAGES WORK ON METH FUNDING

Crystal Meth is a growing problem as the street drug travels from the
larger centres to make its way into small town life.

Ashcroft councillors agreed last week to take CFDC-Sun Country up on
its offer to deliver a Community Methamphetamine Response program to
the community.

Ashcroft Administrator Tom Clement told Council at its May 8 meeting
that CFDC had been approached by other communities - Clinton, Lytton
and Logan Lake - to take over co-ordination and grant applications for
localized programs aimed at Crystal Meth awareness and prevention.

"If we were to do this (ourselves)," Clement told Council, "it
probably wouldn't happen" because of the time involved.

Coun. Helen Kormendy said she liked the idea of being part of a
multi-community program.

Council recently applied jointly with Cache Creek for $20,000 in
funding from the Union of BC Municipalities for a Crystal Meth
Awareness Workshop. CFDC-Sun Country made the same offer to Cache
Creek, but their Council has not made a decision yet.

There was some discussion by Ashcroft councillors about issuing a
Request for Proposals from any group who could co-ordinate the program
rather than just asking Sun Country to do it. However, Clement advised
Council that he didn't think there was enough time to issue the RPF
and then to select one before the final application deadline of May
31, 2006.