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. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake