Pubdate: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 Source: Hope Standard (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Hope Standard Contact: http://www.hopestandard.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1397 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) REACHING YOUTHS IS PRIMARY GOAL A $10,000 grant for Hope, aimed at crushing the cycle of crystal meth addiction, has the Crystal Meth Task Force, focusing on reaching the youth and educating parents. The Crystal Meth Task Force, a subcommittee of Hope Healthy Communities, is kicking off a local poster campaign this fall, bringing "attention to the horrors of crystal meth," said committee spokesman Peter Bailey. The posters will be dramatic and hard hitting but not shocking. The committee has also re-developed their logo. The new "Stop Crystal Meth' logo is based on a design from a local youth. T-shirts have also been developed to get the message out to youth. In September, the committee is also sponsoring the Brigade Days street dance at the Sixth Avenue Park - in an effort to encourage community involvement and healthy activity over the use of drugs, added Bailey. Previous efforts of the committee in their battle against Crystal Meth addiction include sponsoring medical expert and author Mate Gabor to come to speak on addiction, and sponsoring a presentation by local RCMP officer Kurt Bosnell on what crystal meth is and how it affects you. In conjunction with the Hope Chamber of Commerce, the committee has also engaged business in the fight against crystal meth through the new Meth Watch program. Many of the committee's initiatives are being looked at as roll models for other communities around the province. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom