TOWNS GET PROACTIVE ON WARNING KIDS ABOUT 'METH'

HEALTH professionals and educators in southwestern Manitoba are
tackling the issue of crystal methamphetamine addiction before it
becomes a problem in the region.

The Health Corner, a resource centre within the Desalaberry Health
Centre in St. Pierre Jolys, is planning an information evening on
crystal meth next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Pierre College gymnasium.

Police say the drug, made from easily available chemicals, is now
being used more often in the city and inching in on the crack cocaine trade.

Cecile Lesage, co-ordinator for the Health Corner, said media
attention surrounding the prevalence of crystal meth use prompted
parents, teachers and community members to act.

"We're not aware of any statistics suggesting there's a problem here,
but we want to get the word out before our kids make the wrong
decision," Lesage said. "We've all heard cases where kids get hooked
on this drug. It's scary. But we don't want to just scare people, we
want to provide good, solid information."

Schools in St. Pierre, St. Malo, Grunthal, Niverville and Kleefeld
have all agreed to promote the event, encouraging students and their
family members to attend.

One of the featured speakers is Carole Johnson of Winnipeg, whose
daughter was a crystal meth addict who died in a car crash in 2003.

Tory MLA Kelvin Goertzen (Steinbach) and Shauna Sheldon from the
Addictions Foundation of Manitoba will also speak at the event, while
a panel discussion includes Sgt. Marc Samson with the RCMP drug unit.

Call the Health Corner at (204) 433-3891 for more information.