NORTH SHORE CRYSTAL METH TASK FORCE HOPING FOR HANDOUT

While B.C. Finance Minister Carole Taylor added $2 million to the
province's fight against crystal meth last week, it's not clear how
this will affect local programs, if at all, said Peter Defehr.

The chair of the Crystal Meth Task Force North Shore is still waiting
for the task force's share of the $10,000 seed money grants promised
to communities by Premier Gordon Campbell last September. (The task
force, made up of people from law enforcement, hospitals and the
community, is applying for three grants as it represents West
Vancouver and the City and District of North Vancouver.)

"[The $10,000 grants are] all I can gather that we're qualified for.
We've received nothing -- we're spending money but we haven't
received anything," Defehr said.

"We're just working by the skin of our teeth."

According to the B.C. government website, the new $2 million is
earmarked for the province's Crystal Meth Secretariat to coordinate
efforts to stop the production and use of the drug.

West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre said she was delighted
with the new funding and that she's been working behind the scenes to
draw attention to the crystal meth problem.

But, she warns, addiction in general is a bigger issue.

"Crystal meth seems to be a lightning rod because it's so horrific,"
she noted. "But all of this is just the tip of the iceberg; think of
all the other substance abuses in the community, like alcohol. We
should have a broader outlook.

"I think we need to look at drug issues beyond crystal meth."

In the meantime, the Crystal Meth Task Force North Shore relies on
the support of volunteers, local businesses and service groups to
keep up their street-level fight.

Although it was only just formed in the fall, the task force is
already becoming one of the go-to groups in B.C. that deals with
crystal meth problems and frequently receives referrals from other agencies.

Recently, members of a police force from North York, Ontario flew in
to spend a week studying the task force's activities -- which are
expanding past what a $10,000 to $30,000 provincial grant will do, Defer said.

"As much as I am thankful for it -- and I do appreciate it -- it just
doesn't cover what it needs to."

Defehr, who is also the North Shore Salvation Army community
director, noted the North Shore task force has just printed brochures
to help parents "drug-proof their kids" and recognize the signs of
crystal meth use in their children -- a business expense of about
$4,500 but offset by more than $2,000 by a service club donation.

"Many parents don't have a clue what to look for, the sudden changes.

"Some parents may think, 'this is cool, they just want to spend a lot
of time in their room' or that 'they're just coming out of the
doldrums' because they have a lot of energy, but these are symptoms."

Plans are in the works to erect banners and signs in high-traffic
areas around the North Shore to generate public awareness and a group
of students on the task force are launching an awareness-oriented
magazine (thanks to a $6,000 donation).

The task force also hopes to attract a phone company's sponsorship
for a $250/month phone service. They'd like to target bus stops, but
just don't have the funding.

"Again, it's $20,000 for the bus shelters," Defehr explained. "The
problem is, so many youth don't know what they're dealing with.
[Crystal meth] is not an ordinary drug. It's absolutely deadly."

For information for people struggling with crystal meth, call the
Crystal Meth Task Force North Shore's help line, 604-982-METH.