On Sunday, April 17, The Province newspaper launched a 7-day series examining the prevalence of 'crystal meth' in our communities.

The series will look at the stories of ordinary British Columbians who found themselves caught up in the misery of meth abuse.

It will also seek potential solutions to this growing epidemic and it will examine the law and what more needs to be done to clean up the mess.

"The use of crystal meth is a growing concern to our readers and something they wanted to know more about," said Wayne Moriarty, Editor-in-Chief at The Province .

"We felt we had the resources and contacts to bring this issue to light and identify ways to help educate the community to the evils of this drug."

Following the series The Province will present four community education forums aimed at addressing the growing problem of crystal meth in B.C. Speakers will include health-care professionals, police along with addicts and their families who will talk frankly about the impact crystal meth is having on them and how we all need to work together to stop its spread.

Community forums are planned for Kamloops at the Thompson Rivers University on April 26, for Victoria at Oak Bay High West on May 2, for Surrey at the Bell Centre for Performing Arts on May 3 and for Vancouver at John Oliver Secondary on May 5. All forums run from 7 until 9 p.m. and are free to the public.