Pubdate: Fri, 24 Jun 2005
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2005, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Mark Hume
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

FIRST NATION MEMBERS HOLD METH CONFERENCE

Vancouver -- More than 200 members of the Sto:lo First Nation 
attended a conference in the Fraser Valley yesterday on the dangers 
of crystal methamphetamine.

Chief Clarence Pennier, president of the Sto:lo Tribal Council, said 
he was inspired to call the conference after one of his children 
became addicted to the drug.

"This drug has been a problem for quite a while, but just from my own 
experience I knew it was coming into the community and we had to do 
something about it," Mr. Pennier said.

He said at least one other first nation group in B.C. has recently 
held a similar conference, but didn't think aboriginal communities 
are any more vulnerable to crystal meth addiction than other sections 
of society.

"Crystal meth is everywhere. It knows no boundaries," Mr. Pennier said.
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