SCHOOLS WORK WITH TASK FORCE TO BATTLE CRYSTAL METH

Nanaimo school district has been working in partnership with community
agencies and groups to develop a response to the threat that crystal
meth presents to our young people.

Sherry Elwood, principal of Cedar Community secondary school, is the
school district's representative on the Nanaimo Crystal Meth Task
Force. She says a number of activities are planned in schools during
the month of May, to support crystal meth awareness.

Curriculum packages have been developed for use by teachers for Grades
6 -7 and Grades 8, 10 and 12. During May in many classrooms in
Nanaimo teachers will be discussing the facts about crystal meth and
providing students with lessons about decision-making skills.

During May, students will also be receiving crystal meth awareness
bracelets, thanks to the financial support of community organizations.
Finally, student's families and any interested community members are
invited to one of the four public information sessions being held in
secondary schools in May.

The first such session was held at Wellington secondary May 3 at 7:30
p.m. On May 10, there is a session at 7 p.m. at John Barsby Community
secondary school. On May 17, the session is at NDSS at 7 p.m. and on
May 24 at Dover Bay at 7 p.m.

These sessions will provide families and the community with
information about crystal meth, and will help ensure that everyone -
students, parents, and the community - has the same
information.

"It takes a coordinated effort to deal with the issue of crystal
meth," Elwood said. "Nanaimo schools are pleased to be working with
the community and parents to address this topic."