CITY'S DRUG PLAN CARRIES A COST

Penticton's mayor says funding has yet to be committed to bring into
fruition goals set out in the substance abuse task force action plan.

The action plan's three-pronged approach to reducing drugs in the
community -- education, enforcement and treatment -- calls for, among
other items, additional RCMP and a new rehabilitation and detox
centre for the South Okanagan.

Coun. Garry Litke said while some of the items on the action plan do
not require additional funding and are already under way -- including
the promotion of the Prevention Awareness and Community Education
crystal meth program through the city's website and increased
promotion of the crime-free multi housing project -- other items may
take years to implement.

Mayor Jake Kimberley said the city and province only committed
funding to the substance abuse task force for a public education
campaign, which was completed this year.

However, he said, when the substance abuse task force was formed, the
city realized there would be further "cost implications."

"We will have to face those implications and see what we can
accommodate this year," he said, adding that the city's budget for
2007 is very tight.

One of the first items listed on the action plan, which includes
short-, mid- and long-term goals, points to a need to increase
policing in the community.

In 2006 the city approved funding for two new RCMP officers, although
the RCMP requested three.

"The additional officer is still on the books," said Kimberley,
adding that one RCMP officer costs the city about $110,000 per year,
or about a one per cent tax hike for residents. "It's something
council should give full consideration to."

Increased enforcement targeting the drug community would likely
reduce overall costs to the city, as drugs are connected to the
majority of property crimes in the city.

"Crime is a cost to municipality," said Kimberley.

Aside from increasing enforcement reducing substance abuse in the
community also requires better treatment options. According to Litke,
"the first priority" for the task force is the creation of a rehab
and detox centre in the South Okanagan.

While the Salvation Army and Pathways Addiction Resource Centre "are
doing the best they can,"additional services are needed.

The action plan calls for a meeting between the city, Penticton
Indian Band and the regional district to determine a location for a
centre and address the need for funding. The centre needs to be at
the top of everyone's agenda, said Litke, adding that rehab and detox
centres have major cost implications and will require the support of
the province. It will likely take years to bring into fruition, he said.

Also listed on the action plan, which Litke said he will introduce in
an upcoming council meeting, is writing to the appropriate levels of
government about the importation of psuedoephedrine, the drug used in
making crystal meth. Locally the chamber of commerce has already
helped take action by posting the retailers guide for sale of this legal drug.

Litke also hopes council will partner with the school district on
several initiatives, including educating local youth about dangers of
crystal meth and Datura and creating an information CD on parenting
strategies to prevent drug abuse.

The action plan also calls for the city to work with Interior Health
to promote existing programs and for the city to advocate for more
resources for the community.

The substance abuse task force was created by Kimberley in January
and made up of representatives from the city, RCMP, schools, health
community and community associations.

The task force was disbanded following the release of the action plan
and its mandate has been transferred to the social development
advisory committee.