MAPLE RIDGE FOLKS DESERVE HIGH PRAISE FOR PLUCKY BATTLE AGAINST CRYSTAL METH

There Can Be Few Illegal Drugs Quite So Devastating To Young People As
Crystal Methamphetamine, Now Enjoying A Huge Surge In Popularity In British
Columbia.

Last Sunday in The Province, reporter Matt Ramsey uncovered coroner's
statistics that showed a dramatic rise in the number of deaths related to
crystal meth.

There were 15 such deaths in 2003. Last year the figure was 33. And
authorities expect the tragic toll to keep on rising this year.

At least the suffering is over for those who have paid the ultimate price
as a result of this appalling drug.

Thousands more exist in a half-life of hallucinatory horror, convinced that
they are pursued by devils or gripped by imaginary evils that drive them
literally crazy.

Some idea of the dreadful burden such an addiction places on the families
of the afflicted can be gleaned from the heartfelt letters The Province
received last week -- a sampling of which appear on the page opposite.

It is clear our report struck a nerve in many B.C. communities.

This week, Ramsey continues his ground-breaking reportage with an account
of how one city, Maple Ridge, has come together to battle the demon in its
midst.

It is an encouraging story of what a community can do for itself when
caring individuals decide to take action.

What's happening in Maple Ridge is a first in Canada and could well become
a model for the rest of the country.

The Maple Ridge volunteers are working largely with their own resources --
a refreshing change from demanding government handouts.

Governments, however, can play a role in battling this scourge without
breaking the bank.

Tory MP Randy Kamp's demand that Parliament make crystal meth a class-one
drug, similar to cocaine and heroin, is a no-brainer.

And the Maple Ridge plan to monitor sentences for meth lab operators is one
government should clearly follow.

Judges must impose the most severe penalties on these scum.

The police, too, should be given every encouragement to pursue a vigorous
campaign against both the dealers and the callous crooks who are mixing
their murderous concoctions in the meth labs of this province.