A LIFE OR DEATH LESSON

A display on the hazards of crystal meth is making the rounds at
several North Van high schools with the goal of raising awareness
about the deadly drug.

It's the latest move by the North Shore Crystal Meth Task Force to
combat the proliferation of the devastating drug, and task force
member Yudi Duque is hoping her fellow students will receive the message.

"I think the best way to raise awareness is to make the displays in
the schools," said Duque, a Grade 12 student at Sutherland Secondary school.

She added by putting the displays in the schools, students and their
parents will be able to see the information.

"Life or Meth?" includes graphic images of before and after photos of
meth addicts, and is accompanied with facts and personal stories of
recovered meth addicts.

"It was a kind of graphic that would grab you," explained Sutherland
principal Doug Green. "If you looked at it, and thought 'Is this
anything I would want to get involved in?' I think you'd say no."

The only high school student in the Youth Education and Community
Awareness Task Force - which is a part of the crystal meth task force
formed in September 2005 - Duque says the display was first put up at
her school, Sutherland.

After receiving a positive response, Duque sent a letter through
school vice-principal Nancy Smeal to other North Vancouver secondary
schools asking if they were interested in hosting her powerful display.

Six schools responded, and Duque says she's "booked until May."

So far, the display has made its way to Keith Lynn Alternate, William
Lucas Centre and Carson Graham. Her next stops are Argyle, Balmoral
Junior, and Seycove secondary schools.

"Anytime you have students involved in trying to discourage drug use
in the community ... it's very powerful," said Green, adding the
display was made in Duque's own time, and was not for class marks.
"And she put a lot of time into it."

For Duque, it's all part of being involved in her community. She's
been volunteering for the Salvation Army for a year now, and says it
was there that she became involved with the crystal meth task force.

Duque said the experience has been an eye opener.

A recent immigrant, Duque came to Canada only two years ago from Columbia.

"I come from a country where people think all the cocaine comes
from," Duque noted, adding although that may be the country's
reputation, drugs were not as easy to obtain there as they are on the
North Shore.

"Where I lived, it's not as accessible as it is here, here it's
really easy to get it," she said. "I found that kind of ironic."

The Life or Meth display will remain at Carson Graham until tomorrow,
March 31, then goes to Argyle from April 3 to 13, Balmoral Junior,
April 14 to 28, and Seycove, May 1 to 12.