DRUG TRADE - WE MUST SHOUT THIS HAS TO STOP, SAYS SMITH

Abbotsford must push senior levels of government to strengthen the
"lax laws" of enforcement that relate to the drugs trade, according to
city Coun. John Smith.

Smith was making his comments during a Monday afternoon council
meeting in Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, in which the city was asked
to support a letter written by Merritt Mayor David Laird.

In that letter to B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and federal public
safety minister Stockwell Day, Laird said "drug dealers have become a
pervasive threat" to all communities.

Laird also criticized the penalties handed to those convicted of drug
offences and said it is time for federal and provincial governments to
"take a stand."

According to Laird, municipalities can not create bylaws "that even
whisper" of prevention in the criminal code area.

"Yet it is the mayors and councillors who are besieged by frustrated
homeowners wanting to know what the city is going to do about the
known crack house next door," he wrote.

"We implore you to bring in legislation that will allow municipal
government greater authority to remove undesirable and illegal actions
from our communities."

While supporting Laird's letter, councillors said on Monday they would
send their own letter to Campbell and Day that would mirror the one
penned in Merritt.

"We have to do something about the lax laws when it comes to drug
issues. These are issues that impact our community," Smith said at the
council meeting.

"We have these problems in our midst and we have situations where the
people who produce drugs are dealt with so lightly by the justice
system. It's just the price of doing business."

Smith said the City of Abbotsford does not have the power to deal with
drugs issues, "but we must realize these problems are right on our
doorstep."

"We need to shout from the highest buildings that this has to stop,"
he added.

Abbotsford Mayor George Ferguson said the city must keep applying the
pressure on Victoria and Ottawa.

"We have crack houses in our area and we must get these crack houses
under control," he said.