PROTESTERS STAND UP AGAINST DRUGS

Their Message Was Clear -- It's Time to Crack Down on the Business of
Drugs in Merritt.

More than a dozen people came out to protest at City Hall on Friday
and to show their support for Harvey Keys and his effort to fight the
growing drug problem in Merritt.

As the protest moved to Voght Street the numbers of protesters
decreased but their message was well received and support was obvious
from the honking of horns from passing cars.

As for Keys, he was happy with the turnout for the protest and he was
pleased to receive a message of support from Mayor David Laird.

"I feel like something came out of it," he said. "This will send a
message -- it's the beginning."

He said they are asking people in charge to make a drug bust a day
until the problem gets under control.

"We've gotta keep the pressure on to make a difference," he explained.

He stressed in order to really see a difference in Merritt the rules
have to change.

Mayor Laird agrees that the focus has to be on changing the laws that
allow drug pushers back on the street.

"The issue that needs to be addressed is that proper laws are needed
that reflect the community," he said. "The first step it to put
pressure on to make sure this is addressed."

He said so far the City of Merritt has been using its unsightly
premises and marijuana grow-op and drug house bylaw to assist the
RCMP. He said these bylaws allow the city an opportunity to check out
premises they suspect are being used as drug houses, but they can't
get involved in anything that is suspected to be illegal.

"We do what we can, but there is only so much we can do," he
explained. "We will continue to be vocal in our support of changing
the existing laws."

He suggests others do the same because change won't happen unless
people get involved.

Sgt. Perry Penney said the RCMP are focused on cracking down on drugs
in Merritt. He said the RCMP address the issue through both
enforcement and education.

"We have done some focused drug enforcement addressing drug houses,"
he said. "Although we are short on resources we are able to
prioritize and switch members to drug enforcement."

He said they have also started offering Project Hope in the Merritt
Secondary School. This is a program that offers information about
positive choices.

"As RCMP officers we see the result of what drug traffickers are
doing," Penney said. "It is a constant struggle for us, but we are
trying to address the communities concerns."

Luckily, Keys has had a number of people supporting his efforts.

"Drugs undermine the whole community," explained Paul Fairfield, when
asked why he came out to the protest on Friday afternoon. "Everything
good about a community is undone, so we gotta do something."

He said citizens can't take the law into their own hands, but they
can make a difference.

"Those who can do something should," he said.

He said his frustration comes from watching things get worse through
the years. He can't stand by and watch more families be destroyed by addiction.

Hughie MacKenzie supported Keys because he is concerned for the
future generations. He said it is frustrating to see young children,
his grandchildren included, walking around town high.

"I hope this will stop the dealers because there is nothing we can do
to stop the addicts," he said.

Keys will continue to put pressure on the RCMP, the City of Merritt
and the court system to make changes in Merritt. He hopes that more
people will get involved as that will help get the message through
that change is essential in Merritt.