CRYSTAL METH AWARENESS COMMUNITY FORUM IN LAKE COWICHAN MARCH
29

Crystal meth, or crystal methamphetmine, appears to be the drug of
choice for too many people these days, including youth and teenagers,
and the impact is far reaching.

That has prompted the Lake Cowichan RCMP and Cowichan Lake Community
Services to put on a special crystal meth forum. It will be held on
March 29, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., in lower Centennial Hall in Lake Cowichan.

Larissa Nelson, the youth cope coordinator for Community Services,
said the purpose of the forum is to educate and increase awareness
about the "profound impact of this dangerous substance" on the
community. The forum will also explore the problem of what Nelson
called problematic substance abuse.

"Community support can have a positive impact on the health of
residents," said Nelson. "We in Cowichan Lake are extremely fortunate
to live in a caring community. Public attendance at this event as
part of Cowichan Lake's united front will be an important contribution."

The forum will include three speakers, Dr. Darryl Plecas of the RCMP,
RCMP Cst. Beth Blackburn and inspirational speaker Michael Bortolotto.

There will also be a presentation by some local youth, as well as a
performance by the teen band No Solution.

Blackburn, who is an RCMP drug awareness expert with 20 years of
policing experience and extensive training and practical work in drug
recognition and awareness education, recently made a presentation at
a crystal meth forum held in Duncan a few weeks ago.

Blackburn uses news clips and videos to help get her point across
about how addictive and destructive crystal meth is.

Plecas has two degrees in criminology from Simon Fraser University
and a doctorate in higher education from the University of B.C.

He has worked at the University College of the Fraser Valley for 26
years, currently as the RCMP University Research Chair in the School
of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Plecas has authored or co-authored more than 100 research reports and
international journal articles on a broad range of public safety issues.

Bortolotto has a nine-year history of speaking engagements in Canada
and the United States, stressing teaching through example. He was
born with cerebral palsy, but that hasn't stopped him.

His message is one of determination, persistence and overcoming barriers.

Blackburn is described as an expert on crystal meth, with 20 years of
policing experience and extensive training and practical work in drug
recognition and awareness education.

Cpl. Brian Brown of the Lake Cowichan RCMP detachment, who is helping
organize the forum, recently told a meeting in Honeymoon Bay that the
police are deeply concerned about the increased use of crystal meth
area. He said it's important for residents to attend the forum.

The forum on crystal meth is free and open to the public. The forum
is made possible by the Community Responses To Crystal Methamphetmine
grant from the Union of B.C. Municipalities.