Pubdate: Fri, 27 Jan 2006 Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Parksville Qualicum Beach News Contact: http://www.pqbnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361 Author: Colleen Dane Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) METH TASK FORCE, VIHA, SIGN ON Oceanside's Community Crystal Meth Task Force has signed onto an important protocol agreement with the Vancouver Island Health Authority and other Island meth task forces. "This is a huge day," says OCCMTF chair Kevin Wilson. "It's bringing the whole Vancouver Island community together to solve the issues hinging around crystal meth in particular, but addictions as well." The agreement, signed by VIHA staff as well as Oceanside, Nanaimo and Victoria task forces and Crystal Meth BC representatives, states that they will all work with VIHA to develop a treatment strategy that will also include other agencies. It also states that they will work together to improve existing services, leverage additional community resources, and VIHA will consult with the task forces on deployment of targeted crystal meth funding. "It means we will be working together -- it means any money targeted for crystal meth, they will certainly be at the table on how it's allocated," says Jennifer English, executive director for continuing health services for VIHA. Wilson says the partnership will lend more validity to the information they release, because it will have gone through VIHA approval first. It's also a case of strength in numbers, he adds. "I think it really gives us some real credibility that we're not all working as small groups," says Wilson. That's important as well for VIHA, adds English. "Then we get a standard care delivery -- it stops re-inventing the wheel," she says about bringing all of the groups together. The partnership so far has been positive one, agrees both sides -- one that should only get stronger now that its been made official. "It's been really good working with the task forces to have a standard and VIHA strategy for crystal meth. It's bringing us all together under one roof to work with people with crystal meth issues, and prevention," says English. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin