CRYSTAL METH FORUM PLANNED FOR CARMAN

Public education about crystal meth is the goal of community forums
planned for around the province in the coming weeks.

A Carman forum scheduled for March 14 at the Active Living Centre from
7 to 9 p.m. is one of four taking place in Winnipeg, Thompson and Brandon.

Marcia Thomson the province's deputy minister of healthy living said
there are a number of goals they hope to accomplish through the
community forums.

"(We want) to attempt, as much as possible, to prevent use, help
families to intervene with those who are using drugs, and to make sure
people in communities are aware of what crystal meth and other drugs
are about," Thompson said.

"In Manitoba we think we have a bit of an opportunity to get ahead of
the crystal meth phenomenon because in other parts of Western Canada
in particular, crystal meth has moved in fairly strongly in
communities."

The forums will include information on what crystal meth is and its
dangers, the current situation in Manitoba, what community members can
do to help prevent drug use, and available addictions and mental
health services available in the province.

Information on the Manitoba government's actions to address drug
issues in the province will also be prevented, and forum attendees
will have the opportunity to ask questions of panel members.

For more information, visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/crystalmeth.