ALL-OUT WAR DECLARED ON CRYSTAL METH USE

Cowichan's war on crystal meth use among youths will be fought by a
new addictions worker plus access to recovery beds in Nanaimo by early summer.

New provincial funding for the offensive was announced Thursday by
Health Minister George Abbott.

Vancouver Island Health Authority's share is $1.539 million of $8
million earmarked by Victoria for crystal-meth treatment and youth
addiction services.

VIHA's purse will see $363,324 aimed at meth addiction plus $1.176
million more for all youth addictions such as alcohol, marijuana,
crack and other drugs.

Michelle Dartnall, VIHA's manager of youth addiction services, says
the idea is targeting help for local youths during addiction
services restructuring.

"Until now youths were seen through adult services in the Cowichan
Valley and we want to offer counseling that's youth specific."

The addictions worker will be hired before June, she said.

That worker will be part of Central Island addictions services
spanning Duncan to Ladysmith, Nanaimo to Parksville and Port Alberni.

"We hope the full-time person will work closely with addictions
prevention workers in Cowichan and with other communities in the
Central area," Dartnall said.

Under B.C.'s battle with the deadly drug, Valley meth addicts can
access a total of three community withdrawal management beds and
four support stabilization beds in greater Nanaimo.

"It's our intention to develop an Island-wide network of services
for youths so if no beds are available in the Central Island,
patients can be sent to other parts of the Island," says Dartnall.

"We want to develop services as close to home for youths as possible."

Some money will also be used in Cowichan for education and community
awareness about meth.

"Any additional help with addictions is much needed," says Christina
Martens, executive director of mid-Island and Cowichan branches of
the Canadian Mental Health Association.

"Addictions in youths haven't had a lot of resources aimed at them."

Dartnall says numbers of Valley meth addicts are difficult to tally.

"You get a different percentage from police, schools and adult
addictions services."

While the new funds are aimed at treating addicts, health workers
are also attacking core reasons for dope use, Dartnall explains.

"It's absolutely possible to get youths off crystal meth and many
are no longer using the substance."