HEALTH COUNCIL ADDRESSES CRYSTAL METH

Tackling the crystal meth problem in the High Prairie area is
something the High Prairie and District Community Health Council wants
to tackle.

"We'd like to initiate a series of workshops for crystal meth," health
council chair Nona Elliott told High Prairie town council at its Nov.
23 meeting. "Help us put a face on this monster."

Elliott says the health council is working with Peace Country Health
on the project, aimed at educating everyone about the dangerous drug.
The project involves holding workshops and forums throughout Peace
Country Health's area.

"When we start the process will you be part of it?" asked
Elliott.

"Yes we will," replied Mayor John Brodrick. "Even if I have to go
myself."

Elliott says she did not attend the meeting to ask town council for
money, only that they attend their meetings. She adds she attended
recent meetings in Grande Prairie and found their city council
involved. She took some of the blame for town council not being
involved saying they never did ask them to attend.

The seriousness of the crystal meth problem in High Prairie is up for
argument. While there is no question there is some of the drug here,
AADAC representatives have said at High Prairie Interagency meetings
that cases are rare. The drug of choice in the High Prairie area seems
to be cocaine as evidenced by possession and trafficking charges in
High Prairie provincial court.

Brodrick says crystal meth is a serious problem in Edson, Hinton and
Drayton Valley. He noted High Prairie's problem was "bad but theirs is
worse."

The local health council was formed in 1999 and is one of eight such
councils in PCH's area. Elliott says its volunteer members are people
interested in improving health in the area.