Pubdate: Tue, 29 Nov 2005
Source: Chilliwack Progress (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Chilliwack Progress
Contact:  http://www.theprogress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/562
Author: Katie Robinson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

METH FORUM SET FOR DEC. 7

Conquering the ever-rising crystal meth problem can't be done
alone.

Individuals can't do it on their own. The First Nations communities
can't do it on their own. And single municipalities can't do it alone
either.

That's why Sto:Lo is hosting a second crystal meth forum on Dec. 7.

The forum is meant to further educate the public; to encourage more
participation from communities in the Yale to Fort Langley regions;
and to attract more senior leadership from groups such as the Fraser
Health Authority and the Fraser Valley Regional District.

"We can't work in isolation on this. Otherwise all we're doing is just
chasing the problem - nothing will ever get done," said Tyrone McNeil,
tribal chief for the Sto:lo Tribal Council.

Crystal meth isn't a new problem to Chilliwack, it's been around for a
couple of years. But it is in the early stages, and McNeil believes it
can still be eliminated from the area.

"Timing is everything. Even though it's been here for a couple of
years, we still have an opportunity to nip it in the bud," said
McNeil, who does not want the Fraser Valley to end up like Eastern
Canada and the United States where the problem is huge.

"They're fighting a never ending battle. If we don't act now, we won't
have this opportunity again."

The forum will feature reports from the three working groups -
education, treatment and enforcement - that were formed following the
June forum. There will also be presentations from the RCMP on drug
awareness, the Fraser House Society on treatment options, and from
16-year-old Amanda Stevens on her battle with the nasty drug.

"We want to prevent it rather than fight it," McNeil said.
"Municipalities need to take a stand. Everybody needs to take a stand."

The Crystal Meth forum is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tzeachten Hall on
Promontory Road.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin