Pubdate: Thu, 28 May 2009 Source: Review, The (Keremeos, CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Black Press Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/KXEdlhT0 Website: http://www.keremeosreview.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4048 Author: Steve Arstad Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) Cited: CrystalMeth BC: http://www.crystalmethbc.ca/ LOCAL ANTI DRUG INITIATIVES INCLUDE EDUCATION ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE In December of 2005 the Province of British Columbia offered up to $10.000 to communities under the Methamphetamine Response funding program. The Village of Keremeos took this opportunity together with the support of our first Nations Bands and the Regional District and formed the South Similkameen Anti Crystal Meth Initiative. The goal was to provide education to our students on substance abuse and increase community awareness. The recent Crystal Meth Info Show is only one tool of many that the committee has used since then. Among the accomplishments are: - - A Crystal Meth Brochure that has been translated into a number of languages for visible minorities; - - A retailer's guide to inform merchants of the ingredients that can be used to make Crystal Meth; - - Community Forums and documentary evenings to create awareness throughout the valley; - - A dedicated computer serving as an information kiosk located at our health centre; - - A Controlled Substances Bylaw as an advanced tool against grow-ops; Four major events at our High School: Greenthumb Theatre Odd Squad Headlines Theatre Crystal Meth Society of BC Info Show The Initiative has been renamed to 'Education on Substance Abuse Committee' to reflect its' broader mandate to address the issues of substance abuse in our communities. Anyone interested in joining the committee please contact Chairman Councillor Manfred Bauer (250-499-5290) or leave your contact address at the village office. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake