TASK FORCE LOOKING TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR CRYSTAL METH

Colleen Klein, Co-Chairman Of Provincial Task Force, Speaks To
Students In Taber

I am meth.

I destroy homes, I tear families apart, I take your children and
that's just the start.

I live with the rich, I live with the poor, I live down the street and
maybe next door.

Just try me once and I might let you go, but try me twice and I'll own
your soul.

When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie, you do what you have
to just to get high.

You'll regret that you tried me, they always do, but you came to me,
not I to you.

I'll be your master, you will be my slave, I'll even go with you when
you go to your grave.

You could have said no and just walked away, if you could live that
day over, now what would you say?

TABER -- In a steady, deliberate voice, Colleen Klein explained to
students at St. Mary's School the author of the poem -- a young woman
in prison -- was found dead shortly after her release with a crystal
meth needle still stuck in her arm.

"Remember just how much you have to lose by trying a drug like crystal
meth," she said. "You need to remind yourself that you are unique and
valuable as a person and that you deserve every opportunity in life to
share your spirit with the world.

"You can't do that if you try crystal meth."

Klein, who co-chairs the provincial task force on crystal meth, spoke
to students, teachers, parents and other residents as part of the
two-day Hooked on Hope conference sponsored by the Taber Community
Against Drugs coalition. It continues today.

During opening ceremonies Thursday, the premier's wife said her task
force will work to find solutions to stop the scourge of crystal meth
in Alberta and heal the addictive drug's many victims.

"The more I learn about this drug, the more frightened and angry I get
about the threat it poses to Albertans," she said. "But solutions to
the problem are possible. We can find a way to stop crystal meth from
advancing any further into our province.

"This is a fight that we will win."

Crystal meth, known as ice, jib, tweak and crank, is a highly
addictive drug made by taking cold medication, iodine and red
phosphorus and processing it with more than a dozen caustic chemicals,
including camp fuel, acetone, methanol and drain cleaner.

Meth can be smoked, snorted or injected and produces a long-lasting
high that's so addictive more than 40 per cent of peopled are hooked
the first time they try it. That rate jumps to almost 100 per cent
after a second hit of the drug.

Klein says the only way to stop the meth monster is to work together
to develop strategies for prevention and healing, including putting
more police officers on the street and ensuring healing centres are
readily available to victims at no cost.

"The one thing I want to see is more healing centres made available to
every single youth that has become a victim," she said.

Provincial Health Minister Iris Evans, who was also in attendance,
agreed prevention and healing are key and said the province may look
at building a treatment facility in southern Alberta down the road.

"I see Lethbridge, I see Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie and Fort
McMurray all as other sites that will be considered in the future
because of the importance of reaching the youth," she said.

Drug treatment facilities for teens are only available in Calgary and
Edmonton.

Meanwhile, Evans says educating students and in turn parents, about
the dangers of drug addiction is crucial to preventing a new
generation of users.

"Getting the message out is vital. People have got to be careful."