Pubdate: Sat, 06 May 2006 Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC) Copyright: 2006, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948 Author: Darrell Bellaart TASK FORCE LED WAY TO KEEP MENACING DRUG OUT OF NANAIMO The push to keep crystal meth out of Nanaimo started more than a year ago. RCMP members sounded the alarm before crime and homelessness, witnessed in the Lower Mainland, started spilling over to the Island, driven by crystal meth addiction. Nanaimo Mayor Gary Korpan appointed Mike Hunter, the former Liberal MLA, to head up a task force and hundreds turned out for a town hall-style meeting in mid-September. Organizers found that while crystal meth hasn't yet gained a major foothold in Nanaimo, the community lacks key resources to treat meth addiction when it hits or to cope with other hard drugs. The task force grew from that first meeting. Some agreed to volunteer to sit on the committee, which met regularly throughout fall and winter. They reached several conclusions. "One was the need for more treatment and second was a concern for more information in schools," Hunter said. "And I think as a side issue there's general concern about drugs and crime downtown. Hopefully we can address all three of those issues." The task force sent a strong message to the Vancouver Island Health Authority: more drug treatment beds are needed. That helped convince VIHA to allocate more funding. "The question being asked is when will those beds be there and I don't know the definitive answer -- that's in the hands of VIHA," Hunter said. An education committee developed an education program that will be given to all Grade 6 to 12 students this month. "And each Wednesday evening we'll have community forums at high schools for parents," said Jack Doan, education committee member. Others spearheaded a Meth Watch program, so alert retailers can watch for suspicious purchases of chemicals used to make crystal meth. The task force will soon disband, as community groups take over the roles set out by the group. "I think we are disappearing leaving behind a product and services that will be beneficial to the community," Hunter said. "I think those who will take it over are better equipped to do it." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman