WANTED - MORE METH EDUCATION

Crank, jib, go-fast, whatever you want to call it a recent survey
shows Revelstoke knows its stuff when it comes to crystal meth -- but
the community also wants more education about the drug.

Conducted by the Meth Task Force, the survey focused on three areas:
knowledge of crystal meth, awareness of the effects, and prevention.
The surveys went out over a one month period to a variety of places.
Surveys were also completed by different groups such as high school
students and Rotarians.

In all, 476 surveys were collected.

"Of the 476 we took a random sampling of each category," said Meth
Task Force coordinator Karley Trauzzi.

Categories were split into the following: Males 12-15, 16-18,19-40 and
41 and over. Females 12-15, 16-18, 19-40 and 41 and over.

Trauzzi said when it came to people thinking crystal meth was
available in Revelstoke, more people thought it was here, than didn't.

"Revelstoke has a fairly high knowledge of meth. They know it's easy
to make, they know it's not easy to get treated for."

All of the groups surveyed had heard of other names for crystal meth
(ice, for example).

"When it came to general knowledge many of the correct answers
increased with age," said Trauzzi.

The survey saw a high percentage of correct answers (70 percent) when
it came to the true or false section. Questions in this section
included asking whether participants thought crystal meth caused
permanent damage, and that only drug addicts use it.

One of the questions asked was whether participants knew someone who
had tried crystal meth. Males 12-15 answered yes most often to this
question at 90 per cent.

And, 60 per cent of those surveyed said they wanted more education on
the drug.

"There's an overwhelming desire for more education and awareness,"
said Trauzzi.

Despite that, local residents definitely have a good knowledge of
crystal meth.

"They definitely know it's here and they definitely know the basic
effects. They're not too naive. If we keep doing what we're doing and
improve I think we're doing a good job."

Now, she said, there is a need to open peoples' eyes to the fact that
crystal meth is cut into other drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine.

"Lots of kids are educated about meth, but it's hidden in other
drugs."

A public forum on meth will be held May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Community
Centre.