Two hundred and fifty senior students from Similkameen Secondary were on hand for a presentation on crystal meth, hosted by CrystalMeth BC last Monday at the high school senior gym.
Keremeos' village task force on the issue of crystal meth has played an active role in bringing local public attention to the issue. Councillor Manfred Bauer and resident Tim Roberts were personally thanked for their efforts to bring local awareness to the issue by CrystalMeth Executive Director Mark McLaughlin.
McLaughlin also presented the students with a hardhitting documentary presentation called "Death by Jib". The presentation was designed to shock the students into paying attention to the crystal meth issue, and on many levels got across to the students in a very vivid and blunt manner.
"No one in this film woke up making a conscious decision to become a meth addict," McLaughlin pointed out to the group after the film. "Addicts get there through a series of decisions ultimately leading to trying the drug."
McLaughlin also stressed the point that "meth just wants more meth," and that users of any drug need to be aware of the pervasive nature of crystal meth.
"Ecstacy is cut with crystal meth, " he informed the students. "In fact, it is cut into just about everything these days."
Students questions after the presentation were rewarded with wrist bracelets or t shirts.
A similar presentation was made Monday evening to the general public at Victory Hall.
