Despite Perth County’s distinction as being the crystal meth capital of Ontario -- at least according to a 2004 Toronto Star article -- the production and distribution of the highly addictive drug is an ongoing problem in communities across the province, many of which continue to look to Perth County for answers.
The Perth County Task Force on Crystal Meth held its second methamphetamine summit last week at the Rotary Complex in Stratford. And unlike their first summit, which was held in early 2007 before the task force had implemented any specific initiatives towards combating crystal meth, attendees at last week’s summit had an opportunity to learn about the task force’s funded initiatives and each’s impact to date.
“(Last year’s summit) was about educating people about the problem (of crystal meth in communities) and giving indicators,” says Stratford Mayor and task force co-chair Dan Mathieson, who notes that this year’s focus was on sharing their solutions and best practices and “trying to motivate other communities to form their own task forces.”
The two day summit included sessions on clandestine drug laboratories, meth psychosis and the drug’s affect on the brain and drug endangered children, as well a panel discussion on law enforcement and presentations on each of the task force’s funded initiatives. Approximately 250 attended the event, including representatives from cities and municipalities, police, EMS, social services, probation, parole, drug and addiction counselling and other agencies which are in any way involved in the ongoing struggle against the dangerous drug. There were also booths set up from area agencies.
“At the end of the day it was an information session for both sides,” adds Mathieson.
Perth County OPP detachment commander, Insp. Mark Andrews, says the breadth of information shared over the two days is a testament to the commitment of the task force’s members, to not only improving communities in Perth County, but also others across the province.
“To see this committed of a group, after three years, working on the same project, and we haven’t lost interest, we haven’t lost our enthusiasm -- that’s unique.
“Perth County could have worked hard on this and kept its cards close to their chest,” he adds. “(But instead they’ve said) this is what we did, this is how this worked, this is what you need to do. The networking that has gone on over the last two days has been phenomenal.
“Other communities don’t need to start from scratch.”
Insp. Andrews adds that the number of people who attended the event, some of which came from cities such as London, Windsor, Brantford and Hamilton, is a clear indication that “not only is (crystal meth an) issue here, but other communities are recognizing they have a problem.”
The Perth County Task Force on Crystal meth was created in 2005 after an alarmingly high number of meth labs were discovered in Perth County.
“When you’re labeled the meth capital of Ontario, you have to get a better understanding of the effects of this drug on our communities,” says St. Marys Mayor and task force member Jamie Hahn. “The task force is made up of individuals who reside in Perth County and are aware of the importance of taking action. I’m proud we came together to combat this problem.”
In 2007, the task force received $1 million from the province to implement initiatives to help combat crystal meth production and addiction issues. The funding was allocated to roughly 10 initiatives which covered the task force’s four pillars: prevention and education, enforcement, treatment and health protection.
Some of the initiatives funded by the task force have included equipment for first responders; peer-to-peer support program Crossing Bridges; EFFED (Effective Fight for Eliminating Drugs), an educational DVD which will launch next month; the school resources officer position; and the Challenge Day program, which helps students develop respect and empathy for their fellow students. Other funded initiatives focussed on assisting youth - the Peer Leader program, individuals who are in jail, on parole or probation - the Co-ordinated Justice Response program, and families - the Strengthening Families for the Future program. Another well publicized task force funded initiative was Project Cranked, an undercover investigation which culminated  with several arrests and police seizing $200,000 in drugs.
Mayor Mathieson says each funded initiative had to not only be “broad-based in Perth County” and hit several different age groups, but also prove to have long-term sustainability, since funding for most programs will run out by the end of this year. Each program’s sustainability, however, will not be clear until all interim reports have come in early next year, at which time, Mathieson adds, it’s likely the task force will pursue additional funding from the province.