MOM TO SHARE STORY OF LOSS

In the educational video Death by Jib, one mother shares footage of
her only son Ryan in days when he looked like a healthy, vibrant,
beautiful young man.

That was before he started using crystal methamphetamine. And before
he dove off an overpass while he was high one night, and killed himself.

Now, Kerry Jackson is sharing her painful story, in the hope it will
bring more awareness to addictions, at a presentation that is coming
to Oceanside tonight.

"She doesn't come out to shock," says Kevin Wilson, chair of the
Oceanside Community Crystal Meth Task Force, that is sponsoring the
presentation.

"She says, 'Look I'm a normal parent and I'm talking to normal parents
and this is what can go wrong'.

Jackson will highlight some early signs and potential vulnerabilities
to drug use that she didn't know would contribute to her only son's
death.

"She talks about the signs and symptoms," says Wilson. "Like, 'what I
would have done differently'.

It's a presentation that can be valuable to parents with children of
any age.

"I would strongly recommend it to anybody out there who has any
concerns about crystal meth at all.

While Jackson's son used crystal meth, her experience could help
parents prevent addictions of any kind, Wilson adds, which is why he
expects the presentation to be a busy one.

"My guess is it will be standing room only because she has a very
powerful presentation.

The evening will include a talk by Oceanside RCMP Constable Kevin Day
on crystal meth in Oceanside, a screening of the video Ruined Lives,
Jackson's presentation and a question and answer period.

The event will be held Tuesday, Nov. 29 at the SOS Child, Youth and
Family Centre, beginning at 7 p.m.