PROJECT AIMS TO BOOST AWARENESS OF CRYSTAL METH

Crystal meth is described as dangerous, highly addictive and a
growing problem in the community.

Penticton residents will soon have an opportunity to educate
themselves about the drug under a public awareness program sponsored
by the city and the community policing office.

Details of the Know More crystal meth project were announced Tuesday
by Mayor Jake Kimberley and Penticton RCMP Insp. Dan Fudge. Funded
through a $10,000 provincial grant, the program will include a
community forum on the drug problem June 14 at the Cleland Theatre.

The program also involves training community volunteers to facilitate
workshops for parents and other interested people on the physical and
psychological effects of meth and what is involved in its production.

"We can't stop everybody, but we can sure get out there and educate
the community and those retailers who sell the products that go into
producing this life-destroying drug," said Kimberley. "The essential
part is to get people to take notice."

Fudge said the dangers of crystal meth use are well-known throughout
the province.

"Certainly it's an issue within our community as well," he said.
"Perhaps not as big as in other communities, but certainly we do have
a problem we need to be concerned with."

Although highly addictive, crystal meth is relatively inexpensive and
therefore growing in use among young people. Fudge said prevention
and education are the keys to making the program work, adding that
the forum in June should help in that regard.

"We want to highlight the dangers that are involved in crystal meth,"
he said. "We really want to do everything we can to educate people
and educate our young people of the dangers involved."

Tuesday's announcement preceded the first meeting of the city's drug
awareness task force. Coun. Garry Litke, who chairs the committee,
said task force members hope to monitor the effectiveness of the Know
More program and maintain community interest in the crystal meth problem.