COQUITLAM WILL GET METH WATCH PROGRAM

The Meth Watch Program Is Coming To Coquitlam.

The program, modelled on one developed in the state of Kansas, was
rolled out in Maple Ridge in early March and spearheaded by the
Meadowridge Rotary Club. In Port Coquitlam, a Meth Watch program
began in June 2005.

Meth Watch is designed to help curtail the theft and suspicious sales
of pseudoephedrine products, such as over-the-counter cold
medications and other common household products used to manufacture
meth in small, underground labs.

The first step, which police say is already underway, involves
contacting businesses that may sell products used in the production
of crystal meth and setting up appointments with managers or owners
of the businesses who wish to be part of the program.

A Ridgeway Community Police Station volunteer will act as the Meth
Watch co-ordinator for Coquitlam, assisted by six other volunteers.

Participating retailers will strategically post Meth Watch signs on
their store fronts. Using a specially developed web-learning portal,
they will train their employees to recognize suspicious transactions,
without confronting or identifying the customer, and to contact law
enforcement when these take place.

They are instructed to never confront individuals who are suspected
of being on meth.

Step three will involve follow-up, continued education and signing up
new businesses to the program.

The Meth Watch Program has been well received within the business
community, according to a Coquitlam RCMP news release.

"Many retailers recognize the need for a program like this, since the
meth problem has become a serious issue in such a short period of
time. There is a sense of relief within the community as the issue is
now getting the attention it requires and retailers are provided with
the tools and knowledge to help combat the problem."

Meth is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that affects the
central nervous system, and is a synthetic drug produced or sold as
pills, capsules or powder that can be smoked, snorted, injected or swallowed.

It damages the nervous system and its use can cause dependence and
addiction, psychosis, stroke, dangerously high body temperature and
irregular heartbeat.

For more information, visit www.methwatch.ca.