There is good help for meth parents

As a founding member of the new Crystal Meth Victoria Society (CMVS),
I read the June 17 story "Crystal Meth - Often Free" with great sadness.

The parents' heartbreak of trying to deal with this poison called
meth and seeing their child slide down a very dangerous slope is
sadly all too familiar.

Trying to gather information and resources, including treatment
options, is often a daunting and exhausting task.

This reality led to the formation of the society. The efforts of CMVS
far exceed the bounds of Victoria. We are assembling a task force of
people and organizations with the drive and expertise to battle this
menace, similar to the successful task force in Maple Ridge.

We will lobby both senior governments to take immediate action. We
will lobby the provincial government to implement the recommendations
of their own report released August, 2004, Crystal Meth and Other
Amphetamines, An Integrated BC Strategy.

This strategy lays out action plans including increased public
awareness and education; controlled access to over-the-counter
ingredients needed for the manufacture of meth; increased treatment
options; identifying key at risk groups; increasing skills of service
providers; and reducing individual harm.

You can view the original document and the six month progress report
of April, 2005 at: www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca using the search
words crystal meth".

You can also find helpful information, a confidential forum and
direct links to resources by visiting the CMVS website at:
www.crystalmethbc.ca.

The society is made up of parents just like the ones in your
community - ones that were tired of talk and are demanding answers
for their children and loved ones.

Above all else, please do not give up hope for your child. Hope will
guide you and give you strength.

Councillor Ruth Layne

Township of Esquimalt