COPS CAN'T DO IT ALL: SUPT.

Better treatment for drug-addicted criminals is the answer to
downtown's crime problem, says Kelowna's top cop -- not throwing away
the key.

RCMP Supt. Bill McKinnon made a strong case for better access to drug
treatment in a speech to the local Rotary Club Tuesday. Police are
doing all they can with the resources they have, he said, but they're
mainly focused on 50 repeat offenders who are hooked on crack cocaine
and crystal meth.

"These people are crying for so much help and support. They don't know
what they're doing in most cases. Members are dealing with absolutely
bizarre and irrational behaviour because they're so strung out on
these new drugs that are out there. And we've got to get help for them."

While some might prefer sending repeat offenders to Siberia, McKinnon
called on Rotarians to push for better access to proper treatment
facilities so that addicts can stop their cycle of crime.

He attributes up to 80 per cent of local offences, including car
thefts, shoplifting, robberies and break-ins, to addicts breaking the
law to feed their habits.

"We have to get help for those who are truly addicted. That's a real
problem in this community," he said. "We see people in our cellblock
all the time who are at the bottom of life, and they're crying out for
help. And you can't get help. It takes five days to get in there."

McKinnon estimates half the people living on the streets in Kelowna
are legitimately homeless. Most of them are mentally ill and have been
"run out" of the downtown by the other half -- the criminally transient.

"That's why you see bottle pickers in the Mission," he said. "It has a
tremendous effect on the tourist community. It's not a good message
that Kelowna's not a good place to be."

Enforcement is only one way to curtail crime in the city, McKinnon
said. Like Mayor Sharon Shepherd, he's frustrated by how long it's
taking to get the Four Pillars initiative on track.

Besides enforcement, the initiative offers treatment, prevention and
harm reduction. The city has the money to hire someone to co-ordinate
the strategy, but the position is still vacant.

The key is timing, McKinnon says. When small-time drug dealers are in
custody and vulnerable, it's an opportunity to get them help.

"You need to seize it today, not five days from now. Because within
five days, they've got another fix and life is good again until the
next time," he said.

McKinnon was less critical of the court system, saying judges and
lawyers are doing the best they can. But he admitted "everyone knows
it needs to be tuned up."

Inmates have better access to drug-rehabilitation programs when
they're serving federal time (two years or more) than in provincial
jails, he said. Drug programs are mostly voluntary for inmates doing
provincial time, allowing addicts to avoid them.

Rotarians told McKinnon sentences are too soft and laws need to
change. The only makeover he wants in the Criminal Code is mandatory
jail time for any offence involving a firearm. He encouraged people to
lobby politicians if they want stiffer punishments.

Legalizing marijuana and other street-level drugs is a non-starter, he
said. As a parent, he can't fathom making all drugs legal.

"We see the destruction. It would be far greater than it is today if
you made it a legal substance."