FOUNDER OF ANTI-DRUG GROUP HONOURED

Crystal Meth of Victoria Society Boosts Meth Message

Less than a year ago most youth got information about meth from their
dealers.

Now they get it from their classroom, a DVD or a website
(www.crystalmethbc.ca) - thanks to Mark McLaughlin.

McLaughlin - with the help of more than 100 volunteers - radically
increased access to information and resources for high school
students and people affected by crystal meth after founding the
Crystal Meth of Victoria Society last June.

As chair of a committee in the education pillar of the four-month
community task force, Oak Bay police officer Rob Smith nominated
McLaughlin for the Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards honoured by
Volunteer Vancouver.

More than 800 people from across the province attended the gala
awards dinner at the Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina in Vancouver
last week. Awards were divided into seven categories with a short
list of three names in each category.

"I came to this work when my wife and I came to realize that one of
our children was meth involved," he said. "We realized we needed to
do something for our families and all the families in the community."

Although the task force has finished, McLaughlin said his work is not
done yet.

"The goals of the society remain education and outreach," he said.
"We hope to continue to advocate for parents and youth as well for
the service provider community."

The society is in the process of obtaining registered charity
status.

As for his daughter, "she is doing better," he said.

She's living at home and going to school. She is 15.

In addition to celebrating the outstanding contributions of
volunteers throughout B.C., the awards ceremony helped kick off
National Volunteer Week April 23 to 29.