PROVINCE TO ESTABLISH METH TASK FORCE

Perth-Middlesex MPP John Wilkinson says a new provincial methamphetamine
task force will seek input from local players. In an interview last week,
Wilkinson told The Gazette local voices will be an important part of the
process.

"I have been asked to give input as to local stakeholders here at the
epicentre of this problem," he said. "Mayor Dan Mathieson has agreed to make
a presentation to the initial meeting of the task force to give them a brief
as to what the problem is in Perth County and some of the solutions."

The task force, appointed by Monte Kwinter, minister of community safety and
correctional services, will complete a report, which is expected to include
recommendations.

Wilkinson will suggest players from Perth County be appointed to the task
force.

"We need to have a mechanism to engage local stakeholders so our perspective
on the problem and our solutions are passed along to the province," he said.

Though he has raised the issue of methamphetamine addiction in the past,
Wilkinson admits it took a Toronto Star article on Perth's problem to get
the gears in motion at Queen's Park.

"We need to have a co-ordinated strategy. There's a lot of people on the
front lines dealing with this," he said. "We have a great opportunity to
deal with methamphetamine while it is still contained."

He points to other provinces, like British Columbia, which haven't had as
much luck.

Plagued with rampant methamphetamine addiction issues, Wilkinson said
Ontario can learn from the steps B.C. has taken.

"We're going to try to learn as much as we can from other provinces. This
thing got away from B.C. before they started to deal with it," Wilkinson
said.

"We need to stop it before it has a real hold on our communities."

But with the task force being formed and readying itself to begin its
investigation, Wilkinson is confident solid recommendations will come
forward to start the fight against meth.

"All of us dealing with this issue are relieved and happy to see the
province come to the table," he said. "We need to do whatever we can to warn
our children and grandchildren about this drug."

A phone call to Mathieson regarding the task force was not returned by press
time.