Keeping our society crystal clear
September 9, 2009
“Crystal Meth is perhaps the most toxic, harmful and addictive substance available in our society” says Mark McLaughlin, executive director of the Crystal Meth Society of BC. Since 2006, McLaughlin has been volunteering his time to increase awareness among school children of the dangers of crystal meth usage.
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| Mark McLaughlin, director of the society and Krystle Cummings display the ingredients of crystal meth. |
How co-op helps
McLaughlin regularly hires co-op students to assist the Society in the fight against crystal meth and this year Krystle Cummings, an internship student in the associate degree program at Camosun College, is gaining work experience in research, writing and in public speaking through delivering presentations. The “Meth Info Show” is delivered to schools, service clubs and municipal halls and has reached more than 45,000 students in grades 6 – 12. A new program is now in place for students in Grade 4-5 as, sadly, children are being exposed to drugs at a younger age than ever via parents, siblings or their general environment.
The co-op advantage
Cummings was familiar with co-operative education as her brother had participated in the program, and she saw it as a good opportunity to gain experience within the criminal justice field. “This work experience has given me insight into drug use, not only in Victoria, but across BC and Canada,” she says. In the future, Cummings would like to work in corrections as a prison warden or parole officer and specifically deal with clients who are drug users.
McLaughlin enjoys the youthful energy and enthusiasm that co-op students bring to the workplace. He says, “As we have mainly adults volunteering, the society work is greatly enlivened by the students’ presence and assistance. The students learn how to make things happen by using their initiative and working with the media, local government and service clubs.”
Prevention through education
Beyond preventative education, the society fundraises to support recovery assistance for boys and girls. After two years of advocacy, the six bed Beacon of Hope House facility for boys opened in March 2007 with the Salvation Army as lead agency. It is hoped that it may soon be matched by the Beacon of Light House for girls. However, the society’s main focus is on prevention through education, as it is the most economical approach and more effective to prevent than to treat. Cummings enjoys giving the interactive presentations to school children and has found it to be a wonderful way to gain experience in public speaking. She offers some advice to upcoming co-op students, “You need to have self discipline to work with the Crystal Meth Society. It allows you to work independently and is a wonderful opportunity to develop public speaking skills.”
Find out more about the associate degree program and co-operative education at Camosun.