HEALTH AUTHORITY ADDS SUPPORT TO METH TASK FORCE

A new partner and the streamlining of committees, is sure to produce quick
and effective results for the Oceanside Community Crystal Meth Task Force,
says chair Kevin Wilson.

With the confirmed support of the Vancouver Island Health Authority with
the Oceanside, Victoria and Nanaimo task forces, Wilson says they will not
only find the necessary help from medical professionals, but also have a
means of validating information being disseminated by the groups.

"What we needed is guidance and professionalism injected into these task
forces across B.C." says Wilson. "They couldn't have been any clearer,
they're totally on side and they will bring everybody on side.

The most immediate step with VIHA, will be a verification process of all
information being sent out from the task force. It will give the groups
more validity, says Wilson, and make outside groups less concerned to use
their materials, if they see a VIHA stamp on it.

There will also be a workshop set up in the near future with a senior VIHA
administrator who has been tasked with the file, says Wilson. As of now,
they are making prevention their first priority, he explains, but they are
also interested and looking into treatment options "It's a very
co-operative move," says Wilson about the meeting with Howard Waldner,
president and chief executive officer.

In order to help streamline the information flow, the education committee
will be amalgamated with the treatment line. That way, everyone will be
able to be on the same page at the same time, says Wilson.

"We have to look at how to restructure this task force so it works better
than it does," says Wilson.

With the change, those participating in the creation of newsletters,
resource guides, and parental information will have had more input from
professionals, parents of addicts, and affected youth before completing
their work.