METH ANONYMOUS GROUP MOVING AHEAD

Leduc Representative -- Trish Dunn, a former crystal methamphetamine
user said only three things come from using the drug -- jails,
institutions and death.

"And I only have death left," said 30-year-old Dunn, who'll be clean
for one year in May.

To counter the increasing problem among individuals, Dunn is
partnering with Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and
reaching out to the Leduc community by initiating a Crystal Meth
Anonymous group.

"I'm really hoping it takes off here because my disaster started in
Leduc," she said. "I know Leduc's got a problem and it's become a real
epidemic. I've seen it expand to where it's out of control. A lot of
communities in and around Edmonton need these groups."

Dunn, said she used for two years and lost her youngest child to
welfare before deciding to change her behaviour.

"Users become angry and they think it's their way or no way," she
said. "I'm in the process of fighting and I strongly feel I'm going to
win because I'm keeping clean."

The problem, Dunn said, she faced when trying to break from her habit
was there were no support groups specifically for crystal meth users.

"Another addict and I had a problem with it (crystal meth), but there
was nowhere to go too," she said, adding going to other support groups
wasn't feasible because "no one had the same problem as us."

That's when Dunn started the group.

Leduc will be the fifth city in Canada to have such a group. The Keep
It Simple Club in Edmonton was the place where the group first started
in June 21, 2004, and averages 30 people each meeting.

"It's part of trying to create a drug resilient community," said Kim
Goodwin, community partnership co-ordinator for FCSS. "This is a group
that will provide information and support to crystal meth addicts,
family and friends who are impacted by the drug use. So, it isn't just
for the users, it's for anyone concerned.

"We are getting calls from concerned parents and family members
reaching out and asking us where they can go for help," said Goodwin.
"It's becoming a common thing so when we got the initiative (for the
group) we just got on it.

"We're trying to be more proactive here in Leduc."

Crystal meth anonymous will meet starting Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the
Leduc Civic Centre. All information shared is confidential.