HINTON HOSTS METH MEETING

Public Forum Kicks Off Provincial Conference On Oct. 3

Hinton Parklander -- The Hinton Drug Action Committee will play host
to a province wide conference next month concerning the ever-pressing
issue of methamphetamine use and abuse in Alberta.

The conference kicks off Sunday afternoon, Oct. 3, with a public forum
on current drug trends hosted by Sgt. Ian Anderson of the RCMP Drug
Awareness Service. Anderson will lead discussions about the proposed
marijuana reform legislation, chemical or 'club' drugs and
methamphetamine. The discussion of methamphetamine will include its
effects, symptoms of use, the dangers of meth production and the legal
issues relating to meth in Alberta. This forum runs from 2-4 p.m. and
is open to anyone looking to gain more knowledge on the dangers of
meth.

"We encourage anyone who has been touched by meth to come out to the
public forum," said Tammy Allan, co-chair of the Hinton Drug Action
Committee.

The committee had its efforts rewarded with a 2003 Solicitor General
Award for crime prevention.

"The work we have done has helped to create awareness of the drug and
have had instances of people looking to employers and AADAC in search
of help," said Allan.

Allan points out that there has been a recent increase in arrests for
meth related crimes and the development of a better relationship
between the RCMP and local problem areas.

"We're not denying that there is still a lot of problems here in town,
but things are getting much better," said Allan.

Allan and the committee hope this conference will allow Hinton and
other communities to bond together and share their experiences in
hopes of creating new and improved methods of fighting meth.

"We have been working hard for the past year and a half, but there are
some communities who are just getting started in the fight, and
hopefully we can pool our resources," said Allan.

The conference will take place from Oct.3-5 and will feature 18
breakout sessions addressing such topics as drug trends, basics on
crystal meth, clandestine labs, detox and recovery programs, social
marketing and lobbying.

The conference will also feature a guest speaking appearance by
Solicitor General Heather Forsyth, who will discuss her fact finding
missions in California and the Alberta Government's response to the
meth issue.

"We feel the variety of sessions will allow delegates to leave the
conference with a wealth of knowledge and contacts to better serve and
mobilize their community," said Allan.

More information on the conference or meth in general can be found at
www.methhurts.com.