POLICE GO TO BAT FOR GROWBUSTERS

VANCOUVER -- City council will be asked Tuesday to continue support for the
Vancouver police department's Growbusters program of raiding
marijuana-growing operations.

Drug squad Insp. Kash Heed said the program is important and he sees no
reason for council to vote against a three-year extension of the program,
which city staff have recommended. A city report says the extension of the
program will cost approximately $480,000 annually, which includes money for
city staff, equipment and the purchase of a forward-looking infrared device
to assist police in the detection of grow operations.

The costs do not include the time of the six officers provided for the
program by the police department. Those costs are funded through the police
operating budget.

Since the project started in July 2000, it has resulted in the closure of
1,114 growing operations.