Pubdate: Wed, 26 Oct 2005
Source: Agassiz Harrison Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Agassiz Observer
Contact:  http://www.agassizharrisonobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1344
Author: John Les
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

BC COMMUNITIES BATTLING CRYSTAL METH

A public forum in Chilliwack this week underlined the importance of a 
co-ordinated, community-based attack on the growing menace of crystal meth.

More than 800 people turned out to hear a number of speakers, including a 
30-year-old recovering meth addict, who challenged the audience and 
organizers to take action.

The forum was an important step in the fight against meth, an inspiration 
to other communities to take up the cause. The plain truth is that crystal 
meth kills. The statistics tell the story. Over the past four years, 
meth-related deaths in B.C. have increased tenfold, while the lives of 
countless other users have been permanently destroyed.

B.C. has been a leader in fighting the meth threat. We began looking for 
ways to combat the drug more than two years ago, and in 2004 we became the 
first jurisdiction in Canada to announce an integrated crystal meth strategy.

Recently, Premier Gordon Campbell announced the next step in the fight 
against meth - a $7 million investment in targeted programs and resources. 
It's a significant amount of money that will help educate our children 
about the horrors of meth addiction and help develop community-based 
solutions to contain, control and treat it.

This new funding will help us fight meth addiction on three fronts. First, 
we're putting over $2 million into enhancing treatment programs, to ensure 
professional care is available for meth-addicted youth. Second, we will 
provide $2 million in grant money to communities so that every community 
across the province can implement anti-meth programs at the local level.

Finally, we're launching a targeted education campaign, to get the facts 
about meth use and addiction out to youth and their families. We believe 
that if young people learn the truth about meth, many of them will make the 
smart choice and avoid crystal meth completely. Education is key to 
prevention of meth addiction - a single experiment with this drug can be fatal.

Our new crystal meth initiatives will operate cross-government, and will be 
co-ordinated by a crystal meth secretariat in my ministry.

These latest measures build on work already in progress. Last year, we 
announced an integrated strategy to control access to the chemicals used in 
making meth, to pressure the federal government to increase criminal 
penalties for making and selling the drug, and to support police in their 
fight against the organized gangs that often control production and sale of 
crystal meth.

In response to this pressure, Ottawa recently announced it was bringing in 
tougher penalties for individuals convicted of producing and trafficking 
meth. The province supports these initiatives but will continue to advocate 
for more effective control of the precursor chemicals moving through our ports.

I'm proud of the fact that BC is leading the country in the fight against 
meth, but we can't afford to stop now. This government will continue to 
look for ways to strengthen our approach, and to work with communities and 
parents to stop the spread of meth. Young people in B.C. are depending on us.

John Les is the MLA for Chilliwack/Sumas and the Solicitor General.
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