YOUTH AND DRUGS FOCUS OF MEETING

A meeting, aptly titled "Our Youth and Drugs," on Thursday, May 8 aims to
provide concerned parents with information about the burgeoning drug
problem on the West Shore.

"The bottom line is the drug problem is increasing dramatically on the West
Shore," said West Shore RCMP Cpl. Brian Kerr, who helped organize the
event. "We get calls weekly from parents and school authorities concerned
about what is going on in the community."

Kerr said meth-amphetamine use, which has taken off in Vancouver and
downtown Victoria, is starting to become a big problem on the West Shore.

"It's cheap, and highly addictive," he said.

A panel of experts, including Cpl. Pete Zubersky, drug awareness
coordinator for the Vancouver Island RCMP drug section, drug addiction
specialist Dr. Bayla Schecter, Dunsmuir Middle School principal Daphne
Churchill and Kerr and his street crime unit, will make presentations and
answer questions.

Federal Crown counsel Lori McMorran will discuss parental rights. Randy
Miller, whose struggles with drug addiction were chronicled in the
documentary Behind the Blue Lens, will also speak at the meeting.

Counsellors from Pacific Centre Family Services will discuss what help is
available in the community.

"The purpose is to raise awareness about what the police face," Kerr said.
"And what the future holds in store."

The free information meeting, which is sponsored by Saunders Subaru and
Colwood Thrifty Foods, takes place at 7 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion
at 761 Station Rd.

Refreshments will be provided.