METH TASK FORCE WINDING DOWN

A community group formed to combat methamphetamine use is nearly ready
to wrap up.

The so-called crystal meth task force hopes to soon disband and hand
things over to professional addiction service providers.

"We've not been that visible because we're trying to get some things
done," said Mike Hunter, task force chairman.

"After all the work got done on the plan, we then started looking at
how we want to do it. It basically separates into two areas one is education
and training, and the other is the whole enforcement and treatment side."

Former school trustee Jack Doan will work with Nanaimo school district
and Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce to set up some specialized
training programs.

A crystal meth watch program will teach merchants to guard against
suspicious buyers of chemicals used to make the drug in home
laboratories. First responders, emergency room and medical
professionals who treat addicts will also get special training.

Work is also underway to create much-needed youth treatment beds,
using some of the $360,000 the Vancouver Island Health Authority
recently made available for drug treatment on the Island.

"We're actually working on finding a location where some of this money
can be put so we can actually have a facility in town, particularly to
deal with youths," Hunter said.

VIHA is also looking at changing the wording of its contracts with
addiction treatment service providers, so they can be available after
hours, often when they're most needed.

The task force was never meant to be permanent, and Hunter hopes it
will wind down by Easter.

"I personally feel we're well on our way to getting some results that
people see in the next weeks, rather than months," he said.