THAPAR PUSHES FOR DETOX CENTRE

A pair of Quesnel city councillors are taking on the drug
crusade.

Coun. Sushil Thapar, with the help of Coun. Ron Craigmyle, has drafted
a resolution to build a drug and alcohol detox centre for Quesnel.

The resolution was sent to Union of British Columbia Municipalities
and will be floored during the association's upcoming fall convention.

"On the outside the community looks no different than any other, but
on the inside, drugs eat away at a community," Thapar said.

When Thapar took office, he campaigned for more RCMP
officers.

In three years, three new officers joined the Quesnel's
detachment.

"It's a big issue for the city," Thapar said.

"The B.C. government must step up to the plate and provide communities
with detox centres."

What the councillor wants to see is all regional centres in B.C.,
places such as Quesnel, have their own substance abuse detox centres
to serve the surrounding community.

"People are forced to Prince George for detox, where they wait a long
time," Thapar said.

Urban centres often overlook the inherent importance of rural areas in
producing essential ingredients for strong economies, such as the energy
sector, mining, agriculture and forestry.

"B.C. government must spend back into rural B.C. or communities go
into decline."