Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:21 pm Post subject: Meth Initiatives in BC/Victoria
Hey guys, I'm working on a college research essay and I am trying to see what is being done about the meth problem in BC/Victoria. If you guys have anything to share, it would be much appreciated. This website is a wonderful resource.
This is the question I wish to answer for my report:
What education, enforcement and treatment programs are in effect to help counter the crystal meth problem in Victoria?
Sorry for the delay junior mint. I hope you were able to get the information you needed from the media room on our website or from one of our posters or brochures around the lower Island.
We had a successful community task force last year which focussed on education, enforcement and treatment options and these reports are listed there.
To date we have shown our powerful meth educational presentation to over 10,000 youth from grade 7 to 12 on the lower Island, many businesses and community groups, private schools, post secondary classes, First Nations Communities, as well as public forums on the Island, in BC, and in Ontario. We are currently producing a video presentation and school resource binder which will be available to any community or school across the country, specifically on crystal meth.
Our volunteers from the Police Reserves have educated many Victoria businesses about the precursors needed to make crystal meth and have instituted Meth Watch, a prevention program in our community, as well we have helped facilitate an anonymous meth tip line.
We identified barriers in our community. Currently there are new training programs being produced for first responders in BC, we have given presentations to corrections staff and collected information from corrections facilities and court re meth use. As well, several area communities have changed bylaws so that clean up for meth labs will fall on landlords instead of the tax payers.
We have formed partnerships with school boards and the Vancouver Island Health Authority, sit on a planning committee of the BC Crystal Meth Secretariat, and have been instrumental in helping with the opening of a new rehab facility for male youth run by Salvation Army in Victoria.
Our outreach work is helping families and others from all over the world through enquiries to our website and phone line, and our trained volunteers and practicum nursing students are doing street outreach in Victoria when other service agencies are closed.
As well we mentor a group of recovered youth addicts who help educate others about the dangers of this neuro toxic and highly addictive drug, and we continue to lobby all levels of government for increased funding for education and further treatment options for those affected by the use of crystal meth. Four municipalities recently passed our resolution to send to Ottawa seeking a National Strategy to address the growing problem.
That's only what we've been doing. The Y has a meth project which includes an excellent forum theatre play written by youth affected by crystal meth, Vic High students also produced a meth information play and several schools and community groups have put on information days and workshops. The immediate problem is a lack of detox facilities for adults and more residential beds are needed for chronic meth users, particularly those with concurrent disorders, sexually exploited youth, meth addicted females and pregnant meth users.
Hope this helps. If you could use a presentation at school please email me at outreach@crystalmethbc.ca
Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject: <b>Youth Addictions Support Group<b>
A new support group for youth, ages 12 to 25 years old, with past or present substance use issues will begin, on a trial basis, on September 26, 2008 at the Downtown Y.
This innovative program aims to provide a safe, non-threatening environment where youth can openly discuss substance use issues, and other youth-related topics, while supporting and learning from each other.
Baylie McKnight will be the program coordinator and group convener. As a young person who has gone through recovery herself, Baylie brings her passion and personal experience to the group. "We are hoping to attract participants through various means: outreach, posters, letters and word of mouth. Please support us in our endeavor by spreading the word!"
Features of the support group:
* Youth connecting with youth
* Peer Support Volunteers in-recovery
* No registration needed
* No cost to attend
* No commitment – attend as many or as few groups as you like
* Complete confidentiality
* Transportation can be arranged
* Harm reduction approach
* Opportunities to help keep the program interesting and relevant
* Serves youth with/without homelessness issues
The group will begin on Friday September 26, 2008 and will run every Friday with the final group on December 19, 2008. The group will be located at the Y Downtown at 851 Broughton Street between the hours of 6:00 – 7:30 pm.
Meetings may include:
* Movie nights
* Guest speakers
* Arts & crafts nights
* Snacks
* Brochures and/or information on addiction/recovery
For more information, posters for your workplace or ideas/suggestions for our support group, please contact Baylie at 250-589-0323.
The United Way of Greater Victoria has provided generous funding for this program. Thanks to them, and to you in for your help making this project a great success.[/b]