Pubdate: Thu, 09 Nov 2006
Source: Whistler Question (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006, Whistler Printing & Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.whistlerquestion.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1034

B.C.'S CRYSTAL METH STRATEGY

In 2004, B.C. became the first jurisdiction in Canada to announce an 
integrated crystal meth strategy.

Key commitments included:

* Working closely with police to shut down meth labs and put 
producers and dealers out of business.

* Consulting with the BC College of Pharmacists and Health Canada to 
make it harder for producers to get their hands on bulk orders of 
common cold medicines, which can be used to make meth.

* Pressuring the federal government to increase criminal consequences 
for those who make and traffic the drug.

* In November 2004, B.C. hosted the first western Canadian summit on 
meth use, bringing together doctors, counsellors, pharmacists, 
police, lawyers and government.

* In response to provincial pressure, Ottawa announced it was 
bringing in tougher penalties for people convicted of producing and 
trafficking meth.

The Provincial Response

* In October 2005, Premier Gordon Campbell announced a $7-million 
initiative to combat the spread of crystal meth use and addiction.

* The Province also created the Crystal Meth Secretariat within the 
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to implement the 
initiative cross-government and develop a broader meth strategy -- 
including a timetable for action with multi-year spending 
requirements. The secretariat is supported by a cross-ministry 
steering committee.

* The funding addresses the crystal meth problem on three fronts: 
- -Community based initiatives: $2 million is currently being 
distributed to individual communities in grants of up to $10,000, for 
community-based anti-meth initiatives. The grants are being 
administered by the Union of B.C. Municipalities.

- - Treatment enhancement: The Ministry of Health is working with the 
six health authorities to distribute $2 million aimed at enhancing 
existing treatment programs.

- - Public awareness campaigns: $1 million is earmarked for 
school-based awareness initiatives. A working group co-chaired by the 
secretariat and the Ministry of Education, and including 
representatives from three school districts, parent advisory 
committees, and the Addictions Research Centre, is currently 
developing content and a delivery strategy. Another $2 million is 
targeted for a major public awareness advertising campaign, scheduled for 2006.

* The Province is also sponsoring crystal meth community forums in 
Vancouver, Kamloops, Prince George, Courtenay and Richmond. The 
forums will focus on local responses to the threat of meth, and on 
developing local strategies for dealing with the problem. Guest 
speakers will include experts on meth use and production in B.C., 
health-care professionals, and representatives from local community 
groups, health authorities and police.

* With the new Provincial budget, government confirmed its commitment 
to protect BC's youth from crystal meth with an additional $2 million 
over three years for the Crystal Meth secretariat.

* B.C. is also increasing annual funding by $8 million for crystal 
meth treatment options and youth addictions services, including 
increasing bed capacity for youth with addictions by 75 per cent and 
building treatment programs and supports for crystal meth users.

* The new funding is being added to the base budgets of all six 
health authorities. $6 million is dedicated to youth addictions 
treatment and $2 million to crystal meth treatment programs.

* The new annual funding will be distributed as follows:

_ Vancouver Coastal Health -- $2,183,915.

_ Fraser Health -- $1,964,558.

_ The Vancouver Island Health Authority  $1,539,324.

_ Interior Health -- $1,261,421.

_ Northern Health -- $426,662.

_ The Provincial Health Services Authority $624,120.

* The crystal meth funding will be used to develop targeted treatment 
programs, including individual and group counselling, and recovery 
support, for methamphetamine users and their families. Programs will 
target high-risk group s such as youth -- particularly those living 
on the street, and young adults.

* The new funding will bring the total number of addictions treatment 
beds available in the province up to 1038, with 158 dedicated to youth.

For more information on the forums and crystal meth, visit 
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/crystalmeth.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine