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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth