Pubdate: Fri, 5 May 2006
Source: Oak Bay News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Oak Bay News
Contact:  http://www.oakbaynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1346
Author: Erin Kelley-Gedischk
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

FOUNDER OF ANTI-DRUG GROUP HONOURED

Crystal Meth of Victoria Society Boosts Meth Message

Less than a year ago most youth got information about  meth from their
dealers.

Now they get it from their classroom, a DVD or a  website
(www.crystalmethbc.ca) - thanks to Mark  McLaughlin.

McLaughlin - with the help of more than 100 volunteers  - radically
increased access to information and  resources for high school
students and people affected  by crystal meth after founding the
Crystal Meth of  Victoria Society last June.

As chair of a committee in the education pillar of the  four-month
community task force, Oak Bay police officer  Rob Smith nominated
McLaughlin for the Annual Volunteer  Recognition Awards honoured by
Volunteer Vancouver.

More than 800 people from across the province attended  the gala
awards dinner at the Westin Bayshore Resort  and Marina in Vancouver
last week. Awards were divided  into seven categories with a short
list of three names  in each category.

"I came to this work when my wife and I came to realize  that one of
our children was meth involved," he said.  "We realized we needed to
do something for our families  and all the families in the community."

Although the task force has finished, McLaughlin said  his work is not
done yet.

"The goals of the society remain education and  outreach," he said.
"We hope to continue to advocate  for parents and youth as well for
the service provider  community."

The society is in the process of obtaining registered  charity
status.

As for his daughter, "she is doing better," he said.

She's living at home and going to school. She is 15.

In addition to celebrating the outstanding  contributions of
volunteers throughout B.C., the awards  ceremony helped kick off
National Volunteer Week April  23 to 29. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake