DON'T LOSE MOMENTUM

A word from our editor

CBC's Fifth Estate aired their program on crystal meth last week. Filming
was done in Barriere and Kamloops which produced many local faces known to
our community and to our hearts.

For those who were still turning a blind eye, or have been finding their
own way to deny that this drug has come to our town - this was a good
wake-up call. For those who are aware of the problems crystal meth and
other illegal substances have created, the show was a reinforcement that
the community must continue to remain aware of the problem.

Barriere RCMP have acted on several tips regarding drug production within
the community since the Star/Journal ran the first article on crystal meth
abuse in our youth. For our local police force to be able to continue their
activity in this regard the community must continue to be pro-active. Loss
of momentum will put our town back where we started - like so many other
towns with a drug problem in our youth. Tips made to Crimestoppers or to
the Barriere RCMP must continue if we are to clean up our community and
take our children back.

Supporting the Barriere Against Drugs organization, attending their
upcoming informational meeting on April 11, and being responsible community
members will assure us of continuing to move positively forward, not
sliding back.

I recently attended a Core Group meeting of the Barriere Against Drugs
organization. We met to arrange a public meeting, to discuss group
policies, and to watch a video on crystal meth and it's ramifications. When
the 20 minute video was over we had a room full of shocked, sickened and
emotionally upset adults. Many of our group are first responders through
Barriere Search and Rescue and our local ambulance, these people were just
as sickened as the rest of us.

No, this wasn't a video geared to "gross you out" it was the harsh and
shocking facts of what crystal meth can do to a family and to a child.
Parents and family members who use drugs are in a position to inflect
unspeakable abuse, pain, and even death upon those who are in their care.
Drug induced actions and reactions can carry with them a terrible price -
one that can not be reversed. Unfortunately children are so often the
recipients of this abuse.

If you have a family member or friend with a drug problem encourage them to
seek help and help them to obtain it. Trying to rectify a personal or
family disaster after the fact is too late. The time to act is now. Your
positive action may save a child.