CITY HOSTS CRYSTAL METH FORUM

The growing crystal meth problem in Nanaimo will be the subject of a town
hall meeting in September.

Speakers from health, social services, police, the justice system and
education will talk about the meth problem in Nanaimo and take questions
from the public at the forum, organized by Mayor Gary Korpan.

"It's long overdue," said Const. Beth Blackburn, the drug awareness officer
for Nanaimo RCMP.

"I think addiction is our issue," Blackburn said. "There needs to be a lot
more awareness."

Blackburn and members of the RCMP bike squad did an informal street survey
to find out the addicts' drug of choice.

"We kind of wanted to get a snapshot of what the drug problem here is,"
Blackburn said.

She said she hopes to talk about her findings at the forum.

Other communities on the central Island, like Oceanside and Ladysmith, are
moving forward with meth task forces, said Blackburn.

Nanaimo is the hub for many services on the central Island, like court
services and community programs, and sees people seeking treatment come to
the city. Inaction from Nanaimo could have an effect on initiatives in
surrounding communities.

"It almost halts their program," Blackburn said.

For the initiative to work, the whole community must be involved.

"The core of this whole thing is community driven," Blackburn said.

The meth forum takes place Sept. 15 at Departure Bay Community Centre.

For more information: 755-4400.