COMMUNITY FORUM ON CRYSTAL METH TO BE HELD

New Westminster will hold a community forum on crystal meth and
establish a task force to deal with the growing problem.

No date has been set yet for the forum, but the city plans to discuss
ways to set perameters for a task force, which will include various
partners from the community.

The task force was first suggested by Coun. Lorrie Williams. She
explained that crystal meth is not yet a problem in the city,
compared to crack cocaine. But it is vital for the community to get
organized now so it can prevent it from being a problem.

There are $10,000 grants available from the Union of B.C.
Municipalities to start meth watch groups, educate parents and youth
and other initiatives to deal with crystal meth. The city plans to
apply for a grant.

Crystal methamphetamine is a street drug with potentially greater
social implications than crack cocaine and heroin. It is readily
available because it can be made with a variety of household items
and chemicals that are easily available.

Meth is a synthetic drug that does long-term damage to the nervous
system. Its use can cause dependence and addiction, psychosis,
stroke, dangerously high body temperature and cardiac arrhythmia.
Withdrawal often results in severe depression and paranoia.