News Release                                                

                                                                                                                          For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                          May 27, 2009

Grey Bruce Launches Crystal Methamphetamine Task Force

A Task Force has been established to direct action on the problems related to the illicit use of the drug “crystal methamphetamine” in Grey Bruce. The Task Force held its first meeting in Owen Sound on May 26th. Sandy Stockman, Executive Director of the Grey Bruce Community Health Corporation and Task Force Co-Chair said. “Meth use is a community problem and there is a compelling need for a timely community response.”

The Task Force has been established as a result of the disturbing picture presented in a Report released in March 2009 at a community meeting in Walkerton. The local concerns identified in the Report and confirmed at the community meeting include the following.

• the increasing prevalence of crystal meth use,
• the addictive nature of the drug with long-term negative consequences,
• the profound impact of use on the user and on the user’s loved ones,
• the negative impact on the service system and the broader community,
• the lack of parent and community awareness, and,
• the need for the justice system to provide strong deterrents to the production, sale and use of crystal meth.

The Task Force will adopt what is considered a best practice model for developing a comprehensive and coordinated drug strategy and address four distinct but inter-related areas requiring intervention: Enforcement, Harm Reduction, Prevention and Education, and Treatment.

Task Force members include: Bruce and Grey County Council members Charlie Bagnato, Gwen Gilbert, Kathi Maskell and Dan Sullivan; Dr Hazel Lynn, Medical Officer of Health; Clayton Conlan, Federal Crown Attorney; Bruce Angel, OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau; Chief Tracy David, Hanover Police Services; Kent Smith, Area Manager, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services; Sandy Stockman, Executive Director, Grey Bruce Community Health Corporation; Claude Anderson, Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association; Caroline Tykoliz, Program Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Grey Bruce Health Services; Jill MacArthur, Director Adult and Youth Addiction  Programs, Grey Bruce Community Health Corporation; Terry Sanderson, Director of Social Services for Bruce County; Barb Fedy, Director of Grey County Social Services; Gerald Casey, Superintendent of Education, Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board, and Jean Stephenson, Superintendent of Student Success, Bluewater District School Board.

Terry Sanderson, Task Force Co-Chair said “The Report reflects the tremendous input we received from family members, former users and service providers from all sectors in the information collection process. That is a very positive first step. I am confident that the commitment and collective wisdom of the Task Force members, working in partnership with others who share our concern will enable us to create a made in Bruce-Grey response to this challenging problem.”

The Task Force will guide action on the recommendations identified in the Report. Those actions will involve:

• working  with the court system and local police to strengthen enforcement strategies;
• working with first responders (police, fire, ambulance and others) on harm reduction strategies;
• implementing a large scale education, awareness and prevention campaign Grey Bruce wide, and;
• implementing a number of treatment strategies for people affected by crystal meth use.

For further information please contact:

Sandy Stockman, Task Force Co-Chair, Executive Director, Grey Bruce Community Health Corporation  Telephone 519-371-1232  E-Mail sstockman@gbchc.org

or

Terry Sanderson, Task Force Co-Chair, Director of Social Services, Bruce County

Telephone 519-881-0431  E-Mail  tsanderson@brucecounty.on.ca