Pubdate: Tue, 31 Oct 2006
Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Parksville Qualicum Beach News
Contact:  http://www.pqbnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361

PROVINCE, LOCAL GROUPS TEAM UP TO FIGHT METH

OCEANSIDE - Tougher sentencing of crystal meth lab  operators and 
continuing vigilance towards catching  them when they buy precursor 
chemicals are two of the  issues being raised in relation to the 
abuses and  social harm crystal meth continues to cause in 
communities across the province.

The drug, once simply known as speed but now available  in more 
potent and addictive forms known on the street  as ice, jib or 
crystal is again receiving attention in  light of concern raised by 
municipal officials at the  recently completed Union of B.C. 
Municipalities in Victoria.

Sparwood mayor David Wilks says B.C should follow the  lead of states 
such as Montana which require hardware  stores to insist on 
identification and allows them to  collect names from purchasers of 
meth components such  as ammonia, battery acid and paint thinner.

"British Columbia does not have that," he said.

In B.C. monitoring of meth's ingredients is ongoing  through the Meth 
Watch program, a voluntary and  well-received retailer program which 
trains employees  to watch for suspicious or large-scale buying 
behaviour  of the drugs precursors.

In recent years the government has responded to the  increasingly 
obvious social ills emerging in the wake  of meth's increased 
popularity, especially among youth,  marginalized street people and 
certain members of the  all night aErave' scene.

In Oct. 2005 Premier Gordon Campbell announced a $7  million 
initiative to combat the spread of crystal meth  use and addiction.

Since then there's been a joint agreement between  ministries and the 
Society of Organized Services in  Parksville to find and pay for two 
supported recovery  beds to be run out of a private home.

Additionally, two half time addictions counselors are  now offering 
services in Parksville under the auspice  of a contract between ADAPT 
and the Vancouver Island  Health Authority.

In Oceanside, since the completion of a community-based  task force's 
work last winter, indications are meth use  is largely curbed.

"Ex-users tell us they're not using anymore," says Cpl.  Garry Cox of 
the local RCMP detachment. "We're finding  less and less of it around."

Cox adds that petty crime often considered related to  users needing 
quick cash for their next high also  appears to have dropped.

A recently-hired youth addictions counselor at  Parksville's SOS 
Child, Youth and Family Centre says  there is always a need for beds 
to care for youth in  trouble with drugs but meth use appears to have 
waned  with many turning to alcohol instead.

Publication of an easy access guide to social services  available in 
Oceanside also resulted form the task  force's work.

Expected is an education program on the drug's dangers  which will be 
rolled out across District 69 (Qualicum)  schools in the near future.

Education Minister Shirley Bond announced $3 million to  go towards 
educational programming last week.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine