FORUM TARGETS METH CRISIS

Parents and kids learn about a killer drug.

Addiction doesn't discriminate - especially addiction to
methamphetamine, otherwise known as crystal meth.

The highly addictive drug was the topic of discussion at a forum on
Tuesday night. Several concerned parents came to Betty Gilbert
Elementary hoping for answers.

The crystal meth education series snowballed from a initiative taken
by Langley City and Township. Langley School District partnered with
the two municipalities and came up with Project Resiliency, a drug
awareness program.

Facilitator Cindy Pettit designed the presentation and now travels to
Langley schools, educating students, parents, and the community at
large.

"The reception this program has received has been amazing," Pettit
said.

Her classroom presentations target Grade 7 students, because the kids
are in their transition years and are the most vulnerable, Pettit said.

The presentation is split into three sessions.

The first session is a time to get to know each other. Pettit gets the
kids to tell her what they know about drugs.

The second session begins with a screening of Death by Jib, a film
about crystal meth, followed by a discussion.

In the third session, Pettit tells the kids about protective measures
and risk factors.

According to Pettit, the forum that took place on April 17 was a way
to reach out to the community and get everyone informed. It's not just
for parents, she noted.

Wayne Ellis, father of three, attended to get more information on
crystal meth.

"We have to recognize there's a potential problem, and provide support
and deal with it in the community," Ellis said.

Ellis, a soccer coach, said he wants to learn how to help kids who are
at risk of experimenting with drugs.

"Cindy is very knowledgeable; she provided information that needs to
be available to parents and kids," Ellis said. "These information
sessions are important, so the kids have the knowledge to make decisions."

Ellis wants parents to take a proactive approach on this matter and
not just turn a blind eye.

Pettit often finds that parents don't know any more about the issue
than their kids do. There are many urban myths, and people don't want
to talk about it, she said.

She hopes the sessions not only educate everyone about drugs, but also
teach the community that addiction is an illness.

"I want to change the generation's view on addiction," she
said.

The next community meetings will take place 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April
24, at Nicomekl Elementary, and on May 1 at Alex Hope Elementary.