Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jun 2007
Source: Revelstoke Times Review (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Bowes Publishers
Contact:  http://www.revelstoketimesreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2139
Author: Melissa Jameson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH TASK FORCE NEEDS NEW HEAD

Funding may be at an end for the Crystal Meth Task  Force, but it
seems the public is interested in more  education.

"There's a lot of interest from the task force to  continue on, maybe
as a substance abuse committee,"  said Karley Trauzzi, who headed up
the task force.

Comments from a recent public forum on crystal meth  show that the
public is also interested in learning  more. Those who responded said
they were interested in  more awareness of crystal meth for children,
learning  how to talk to friends and family members that may be
exposed to the drug, and on having more forums.

"There has been some talk about a forum series on  substance abuse,"
said Trauzzi. "I think some people  really want more information. To
continue we would need  more community support."

However, in order for any substance abuse task force or  forum series
to go forth, there would be a need for  additional funding. The
original Crystal Meth Task  Force was funded by the Union of British
Columbia  Municipalities in June 2006. The project included a  public
awareness and education campaign, and  development of solutions within
the community.

Throughout the past year the task force aE" which  consisted of 15
members from various organizations in  the community aE"A has brought
the issue of crystal  meth to the forefront of people's minds. A play
called  Cranked was performed for Revelstoke Secondary School
students with follow-up presentations for students  taking Planning
10. Don't Meth Around Bracelets were  developed and given out and
educational materials such  as the videos Dark Crystal and Rewind were
collected.  As well, pamphlets and fact sheets were made available  to
the public.

According to the Community Responses to  Methamphetamine: Final 
Report and Recommendations "the  community also made it clear they 
desire a  made-in-Revelstoke solution for those individuals 
and  families struggling with abuse with the suggested  creation and 
development of a substance abuse treatment  facility and/or a detox centre."

Trauzzi said if people still have questions they can  contact her
through Community Connections.

As for continuing on with a task force, Trauzzi said  while she
wouldn't chair the task force, she would be  interested in being involved.

"It would be really great, but we'd need someone to  head the
project," she said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek