DRUG COMMITTEE GETS $18,000 FOR CRYSTAL METH PROGRAMS

Councillor Credits Getting The Right People For The Committee

Getting the right people has made all the difference.

The local drug and alcohol abuse committee has secured a grant of
more than $18,000 and the man at the head of that committee says it
came down to getting the right people.

"We got the right people on our committee," said Manfred Bauer, who
is the Village of Keremeos' council representative on this local committee.

The committee, which was only formed last November, put in an
application for funding to the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM).

"I think that we put a really good proposal together," Bauer said
after giving his fellow councillors the goods at Monday's regular
council meeting.

"It was a very innovative proposal. We got the right people right off
the bat and we asked all of the right groups for their support. That
is what really got us going."

The actual grant was made up the Community Responses to Crystal
Methamphetamine Funding Program, which is administered by the UBCB in
partnership with the province's Ministry of Public Safety and
Solicitor General.

News of the funding approval actually came with a cheque for $13,650,
which represents 75 per cent of the $18,200 total.

Bauer said the money will be used for a number of different projects.

One of the key parts of the project will be public computers that
will be loaded with resource information on Crystal Meth.

Things like where to get help and advice for parents are just a
couple of examples of what will be put on these computers. The four
computers will be strategically located in the community so as to be
easily accessible to those looking for help.

Another project the committtee is working on is a forum planned for September.

"We have already secured the top two presenters from the Chilliwack
Community Forum for our forum," said Bauer.

Angela Marshall and Johan Wouterloot have both confirmed their
attendance at the local forum.

"This is very rewarding," added Bauer. "It went very fast. It is nice
to be on a committee that other communities are now looking to for direction."