Pubdate: Thu, 26 May 2005
Source: Mission City Record (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Mission City Record
Contact:  http://www.missioncityrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1305
Author: Jason Roessle

REPORT TO BE PRESENTED TO PUBLIC SOON

Changing the current legislation to include crystal methamphetamines in the
same legal category as cocaine and heroin and establishing a youth treatment
centre in the Fraser Valley are two of the recommendations in a report
compiled by a community task force.

The Mission Community Task Force on crystal meth was established in October
2004 and has met several times since, branching out into three committees to
provide a multi-pronged attack on this escalating problem.

According to task force chair Damon Johnston, the report will be presented
to the community soon, however an exact date has not been set yet.

The report, entitled Mission Over Meth, lists the actions and recommendation
of the three committees, education/prevention, treatment and enforcement.

Some of the other proposals are:

* A community-based aftercare program similar to AA.

* Supporting agencies such as Fraser House Society on an on-going basis.

* Practising prevention by providing age-relevant programs for children in
schools that are graphic enough to prevent children from trying the drug.

* Urge Victoria to invest in better treatment options, prevention programs,
community networking and ongoing support to assist addicts returning to
their communities.

* Help with assisting other communities to set up their own drug-fighting
networks.

* Pursue provincial legislation to address the fact persons exhibiting meth
psychosis are not able to be arrested and maintained.

* Consider implementing a program such as Meth Watch.

* Create a committee to follow up with progress of Mission's battle against
crystal meth. 
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MAP posted-by: Josh