FUNDING GIVEN TO CURB METH USE

The Summerland Asset Development Initiative has received $44,500 to
combat crystal methampehtamine use and encourage healthy lifestyles for youth.

On Thursday afternoon, MLA Rick Thorpe announced the funding for two
programs through SADI. The money includes $10,000 for a crystal meth
program and $34,500 for a positive lifestyles campaign project.

"The scourge of crystal meth is destroying our youth. It's destroying
our future," Thorpe says.

Crystal methamphetamine is a cheap, easily manufactured and highly
addictive drug. It has gained popularity in the last 15 years.

The money is part of $2 million in provincial funding to fight
crystal meth use.

The funding will be used for a program to educate the public on the
dangers of crystal meth use and the effects of the drug.

Sgt. Rick Bigland of the Summerland RCMP detachment says the drug is
present in this community.

"We have made seizures of crystal meth in Summerland," he says. He
adds that police have arrested people for trafficking crystal
methamphetamine here as well.

SADI coordinator Michelle Stefan, says the program is a
community-wide education initiative.

She also hopes to see the drug task force revitalized.

A community awareness campaign is in the works for May or June.

"We want to start dialogue in the community about this," she says.

The healthy lifestyle funding will go to the SADI Positive Lifestyles
pilot program to promote healthy eating and physical fitness among youth.

The funding is part of $5 million in government money provided to the
Union of B.C. Municipalities to support health promotion programs
throughout the province.

Stefan says Summerland is one of 30 communities to receive pilot
project funding. A total of 151 applied for the funding.

In addition, the province has invested $33 million for a crystal meth
public awareness campaign and $2 million for targeted treatment
programs for meth addicts.