CRYSTAL METH CAMPAIGN PAYS OFF

When Hwy 12 Communities Said No To Crystal Meth Last Winter, People
Listened.

Last year, Camrose was battling a wave of the highly addictive street
drug. It was only a matter of time before it headed south.

But 11 communities from Alix to the Saskatchewan border decided they
weren't going to have the same fight on their hands.

The Highway 12 Drug Task Force Committee went into action, initiated
by Clearview School District, which covers the Stettler area.

"We decided we needed to be proactive,"said Clearview superintendent
Egbert Stang.

"Our kids were going to be affected very soon, if they weren't
already."

Drug awareness workshops were held last spring and fall, and speakers
have visited the communities to talk to students and parents about the
street drug. And it seemed to work. Crystal meth, a form of
methamphetamine or speed, largely skipped over Hwy 12.

Stettler RCMP Cpl. Ken Foster said statistics on property crime and
crimes against people have not jumped in his detachment area, which is
a good indication that the drug hasn't taken hold.

The detachment typically doesn't see many drug seizures, so it's
difficult to tell exactly how much is in the area, he added.

"The big thing is we've raised the knowledge of crystal meth," Foster
said.

The drug element still exists in the area but users have chosen not to
take crystal meth, he said.

Cities are more likely to attract the drug than small communities
because dealers will look for bigger markets, he said.

"If you came here to start selling, we're going to know about you
really quickly."

Foster said it's key to continue the community awareness and
education. It would only take one dealer to start problems.

"They can certainly come in the back door quite quickly."

Government agencies, community organizations, and Alberta Alcohol and
Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) have also been working with the school
district and RCMP on the task force.

The task force is working to develop spring workshops on alcohol and
marijuana, known as gateway drugs. There will also be a focus on
helping children develop their strengths and encouraging their success
so they're less tempted to try drugs.

It's been six months since anyone has sought treatment for crystal
meth at AADAC in Stettler.

Lance Penny, AADAC area supervisor in Stettler, said the school
district's involvement was crucial for the task force's success.

The community also had to believe it could make a difference, he
said.

"We've just had a lot of good people jumping on board quickly," Penny
said.

Kerry Laberge, division principal with Battle River School District in
Camrose, initially alerted Clearview of the dangerous drug heading
towards Stettler and area.

"We got caught with our pants down," said Laberge who is impressed
with the work of the Hwy 12 task force.

Camrose didn't have the benefit of a launching a proactive strike
against crystal meth and could only react.

"We just crested our second (crystal meth) wave in the Camrose area
and we're waiting for the third wave to hit."

A year ago, he knew of 400 kids who had used crystal meth. That's when
he stopped counting.

"Ninety-five per cent said, 'If I would have known what was in it and
what it would do to me, I never would have started.' "

RCMP Sgt. Ian Sanderson, drug awareness co-ordinator in Edmonton,
congratulates the Hwy 12 communities who have worked hard to keep the
drug at bay. "We've realized for a long time it's got to be community
action," Sanderson said.

"If you put your head in the sand and say it won't happen to me,
you're more than likely going to get it."