PLEA FOR HELP IN DRUG WAR

The negligible impact of a roundup of drug dealers last week has sparked
calls for more help from provincial and federal authorities.

Vancouver police targeted 73 known dealers -- many of them Honduran -- in
their crackdown.

But community groups, civic politicians and counsellors say the problem is
too big for local resources.

"Things are completely out of control," said New Westminster Coun. Casey
Cook. "We need help. We need legislation from the feds and we need proper
health care from the province."

He said such an initiative would move government away from the
criminal-justice approach to drugs and instead deal with addiction as a
health and social problem.

Cook said the arrest of children as young as 11 for dealing crack indicates
a drug problem municipalities can't cope with alone.

"We knew girls were being used as carriers. The absolutely surprising thing
is the age."

Debi Hartwell, a school-based counsellor, said crack is a new phenomenon at
New Westminster's schools. She said the vast majority of teen and pre-teen
kids aren't out dealing crack, but parents should know the types of peer
pressure children suffer.

Rupinder Hayer of Surrey said 11,000-plus signees of a Canadian Grassroots
Community Association petition want tougher immigration and drug laws.

She presented the petition to three MPs last week, who will present it in
the Commons.

"People are concerned about terrorists who are getting into the country and
about drugs coming in," said Hayer, adding that the petition was circulated
for 10 weeks and is still getting names.

"We recognize most immigrants are law-abiding and a positive influence. We
need immigrants, but we need immigrants who care about this country."

Adrian Telford of the Whalley Residents and Merchants Association said the
sweep of drug dealers just means more problems for her community.

"We have a street problem now," said Telford. "The police are working to
clean it up, but if the drug dealers come out here we're going to have a
major problem."

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson