B.C. URGED TO STEP UP DRUGS WAR

Commission A Must Or More Addicts Will Die In Police Cells, Counsel Warns

A coroner's jury has recommended more medical treatment, facilities and
programs in Victoria for intoxicated people following a man's death in
police cells.

And although the family of Michael Weissenberger took comfort in the
recommendations, coroner's counsel John Orr says it is not enough.

"We've had five juries in 10 years just on the south Island saying we have
to address the programs available for intoxicated people," Orr said Saturday.

"And when you throw the drug addicts into that mix, there's a real need for
real programs and co-ordination of those programs, or people are going to
keep dying."

Orr said a drug and alcohol commission is needed to address the urgent need
for programs in this province.

"I feel we still haven't dealt as a society with the fundamental problem of
arresting drunk people, and the programs and resources available for people
who are addicted to drugs and alcohol," said Orr.

"This is the third cell death in Victoria and there have been two in Duncan
in the last 10 years. I think a commission is long overdue."

The jurors who heard four days of testimony gave their recommendations late
Friday.

Weissenberger, 33, described by his friends as a binge alcoholic, fell and
hit his head outside the Dominion Hotel beer and wine store April 13.

He refused treatment from paramedics who insisted he should be checked over
at the hospital. He died six hours later from an undetected closed head injury.

The inquest examined police and ambulance policy and procedures for dealing
with intoxicated people. Police and paramedics testified they do not have
the authority to force someone to go to hospital against their will.

The jury's recommendations include amending Section 28 of the Mental Health
Act to give police the authority to ensure people under the influence of
alcohol and drugs get medical treatment. They also recommended expanding
the current level of services offered for people suffering from alcohol and
drug abuse.

In particular, the jury said a 24-hour facility must be set up to offer
alcoholics medical care, group or one-on-one counselling, personal care,
occupational rehabilitation, overnight accommodation and meals. Access to
the facility would be available without a referral or advance notice.

Weissenberger's stepfather Rick Dunn said Saturday the family were very
pleased with the recommendations especially the one requiring police to
report the physical and medical condition of the arrested person to the
paramedics and the jail staff.

"The inquest gave us some closure, but there are a few things that are
still bothering us," said Dunn, adding that he and Michael's mother
Rosemarie will send their own recommendations to Victoria police.

Although Orr praised the jury for their recommendations, he has heard them
all before.

"As the jailer said (during testimony), we've got a population on the
streets that flow in and out of cells and we're going to have more people
dying in custody because our only option at the moment is to throw them in
jail."

Alberta has a drug and alcohol commission that centralizes services for
both youth and adults, said Orr.

"Our present drug and alcohol programs have been bounced around from one
ministry to the other. They are presently in the Ministry for Children and
Families. And drug and alcohol programs, I suspect, are low on the priority
for that ministry which has so much else to do."

Orr believes a B.C. alcohol and drug commission could coordinate shelter
and detox programs, counselling and youth programs such as addiction
prevention programs.

The inquest also heard from staff at the Gateway street shelter who said
the shelter is at risk because of precarious funding. Also, the shelter is
only open after 8 p.m. despite there obviously being a need during day hours.

In 1999, 50 per cent of the prisoners locked up at the Victoria police
station were there, not for committing any crime, but for being intoxicated
in a public place. Close to 2,500 people were arrested for being drunk that
year.

Victoria police chief Paul Battershill said a police officer will
thoroughly study all the recommendations.

"We recognize the jail monitoring videos need to be improved and the money
for that is in the 2001 budget," said the chief. ``But I'm going to push to
get it through this year."

A guard was fired after admitting he didn't check on Weissenberger for
hours, even though half-hour checks are required.

Battershill said he would also consider the recommendation to have
prisoners supervised by corrections officer, instead of having the work
contracted out.

"It was done successfully in Vancouver, but it took three years to
implement. So in practical terms, it's a long-term project," said Battershill.