TOP COP CALLS FOR MORE HELP FOR ADDICTS

The justice system needs an overhaul and more resources for drug
addicts to get treatment are required, said Kelowna RCMP Supt. Bill
McKinnon as he spoke to the Rotary Club yesterday about what happened
to 39 people--all drug addicts--who were arrested in a drug operation
in the downtown core 18 months ago.

All have since had contact with police, and many face further criminal
charges.

McKinnon said officers are frustrated that they continue to arrest the
same people and said more treatment is needed for drug addicts.

"We've got to get help for these people," he said. "Because we're
dealing with the same people that have drug addiction time after time."

He said officers often see people who are ready to get help, but they
have to wait five days before they can get into a program.

"If you need help today, you can't get it today," said
McKinnon.

Capt. Les Burrows of the Salvation Army added that each year they send
50 people to treatment, and the number who are rehabilitated is still
pretty small.

"They go back two, three, four, five times before they see the light,
so to say," he said in highlighting the need for more treatment.

McKinnon also said the focus on the four pillars seems to have fallen
away.

"I think we're the only ones doing anything of the four pillars and
we're the only one doing something on the prevention side with our
DARE program," he said.

He suggested to Rotary members that they push for "proper facilities
for addicts."

In addition to the need for more treatment, McKinnon suggested
yesterday that change is needed in the justice system.

Some of the people sentenced to one year in jail following the drug
sweep were out in two months.

"That's a concern. It's a revolving door," said McKinnon.

The justice system, unchanged since the charter was enacted in 1982,
"needs some tweaking," he said.

"Everybody knows we need a shakeup and changes to the whole justice
system."

Modifications to the judicial system are the responsibility of the
government, said McKinnon.

However, McKinnon doesn't believe legalization of drugs should be one
of those changes, citing the devastation drugs cause.

He also said police believe it is important for them to continue to
have regular crack downs on crime, despite officers seeing some of the
same offenders in subsequent undercover operations.

They say they will be focusing their efforts this year on prolific
offenders.

"I really believe that's the role and the way we have to
go."