Pubdate: Wed, 01 Nov 2006
Source: Lake Cowichan Gazette, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Lake Cowichan Gazette
Contact:  http://www.lakecowichangazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4076

MOST LOCAL YOUTH HAVE NEGATIVE VIEW OF CRYSTAL METH

It doesn't appear many Cowichan Lake youth or teenagers use crystal 
meth, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be taken seriously.

Larissa Nelson of Lake Cowichan, who last spring used a $3,374 
provincial government grant to put on a crystal meth forum in 
Centennial Hall, said other drugs are being used that could lead to 
crystal meth use.

"I think preventative is definitely the way to go,' said Nelson. "I 
think it's better to be proactive rather than waiting until it 
becomes a problem. Lake Cowichan has the benefit that it's small 
enough that people are curious about what goes on at the neighbours 
or down the street."

That "curiosity" attracted about 250 people to the crystal meth forum 
last April and Nelson believes there is definitely a need for more 
dialogue with the community.

Nelson said she did a mini-survey of young people in Lake Cowichan 
and asked if they use drugs. She said about 60 percent of the 
respondents admitted to smoking pot, but few said they use crystal 
meth. However, more than 10 percent said they take ecstasy, which 
Cpl. Beth Blackburn of the RCMP's Drug and Organized Crime Awareness 
Service said is often laced with crystal meth.

"Many of the youth said there's a negative view of crystal meth, but 
that other drugs are not a problem or that dope and alcohol aren't 
that serious a problem. They seem to have a view that so-called soft 
drugs aren't a problem. I think it's really an issue about drug use, 
not just crystal meth use."
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MAP posted-by: Elaine