LOCAL CRYSTAL METH FORUM AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS
ABOUT DRUG AND ITS PROBLEMS

Outreach Health is trying to raise awareness and find solutions for
how to deal with a plague of crystal meth on Kelowna's streets.

Police and social service workers agree that the exacerbated homeless
and crime problem downtown seems to have coincided with a grow use of
crystal methamphetamine abuse.

"We are seeing an increase in the harms associated with the use of
crystal meth among the youth in Kelowna," said Pat Townsley, manager
of alcohol and drug services.

"We want to bring information to the community about this problem and
talk about innovative ways the community can work together to deal
with it."

Crystal meth is a clear, gravelly substance that produces a reaction
for anywhere from two to 16 hours, depending on the purity and form
used.

The side effects can include irritability, nervousness, insomnia,
nausea, hot flashes, dry mouth, sweating, heart palpitations and
hypertension.

"Accessibility is what has made this drug popular," explained
Townsley.

"It is both inexpensive to buy and easy to make. We see a whole
variety of people using crystal meth. It is not just a drug of the
poor, but is common among young people, particularly at raves, house
parties or dance clubs."

The Outreach Health initiative follows a move by B.C.'s minister of
state for mental health and addiction services to tackle meth use.

B.C. appears to be following a wave of popularity of the drug that
began in parts of the U.S. several years ago.

It's particularly prevalent among street kids, gay men and at rave
dances.

According to the ministry, drugs seized at rave dance scenes shows
about 65 per cent of drugs sold as ecstasy (in which buyers are
presuming to receive the drug MDMA) actually contain varying amounts
of methamphetamine.

Admissions to community addictions centers for methamphetamine use has
grown from four per cent of addictions services in 1999 to 11 per cent
in 2003.

There were no overdose deaths in 1999 but up to 12 in 2003 and 31
between 2000 and 2004.

The Interior region is third highest locale for meth
deaths.

The forum, titled "Crystal Meth: A Community Response" will be held Friday,
Oct. 15, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Hollywood Education Centre, 1040 Hollywood
Rd. in Kelowna.

Dr. Darryl Inaba, from the Haight Ashbury Drug Clinics of San
Francisco, will join Kenneth Tupper, with the problematic substance
use prevention area of the B.C. Ministry of Health Services; Donald
MacPherson, drug policy advisor for the City of Vancouver; and Shelley
Cook, chairwoman of the treatment pillar of the Central Okanagan Four
Pillars Coalition to speak on the impact of crystal meth in
communities and innovative strategies to reduce its use.

Kelowna Mayor Walter Gray will act as the master of
ceremonies.

Attendees will learn more about the innovative ways other communities
have dealt with the problem and what this community can do to reduce
the use of crystal meth here.

They will also learn how to protect themselves and their children from
the drug.

"Crystal meth has a profound impact on one's ability to reason," said
Townsley.

"Often by the time a user seeks treatment, their entire life is in
chaos.

"It is not a drug to be messed with. We need to find new ways to reach
out to users and to reduce the demand for crystal meth."