FRASER VALLEY EYES METH-FIGHTING PLAN

Researchers Look To Other Nations' Solutions For Help

Researchers at the University College of the Fraser Valley are
examining meth-fighting strategies from around the world to see which
ones might work in B.C.

"The end result will be one-stop shopping for any agency wrestling
with this problem," said UCFV criminology professor Dr. Darryl Plecas.

"It will look at work from around the world, but the recommendations
will be tailored to B.C."

Plecas said much of the province's meth is produced by "super labs,"
in contrast to the smaller, user-based "cook operations" more common
in the United States.

"In a few days, these large labs can make millions of dollars of
meth. You don't need very many super labs before you're supplying
everyone in Western Canada," he said.

For that reason, controlling the sale of the common cough medicines
often used to cook meth might not work as well in B.C. as it has in the U.S.

"I think it's important to provide an academic evaluation of
different strategies instead of just following the anecdotal
evidence," said Plecas.

Chilliwack Coun. Sharon Gaetz said the city commissioned the study
after realizing meth was on the minds of many community members.

"I've had a lot of people come up to me and tell me personal stories
about how meth has affected their lives. I saw the pain in their
faces, and it was obvious we need to do something," she said.

But Chilliwack Mayor Clint Hames said the study is only the first
step in the fight.

"We want to make sure that what we're doing is based in the facts --
that we have a good understanding of what is working in other places
and how that applies to this community," he said.

"From there, we need to start implementing the different strategies."

Plecas has worked with the City of Chilliwack in the past to create a
strategy for dealing with marijuana grow-ops.

Hames said the model has been very successful and is currently being
used by many other B.C. communities.

The meth report is due in early-March.