METH TASK FORCE LOOKS AT DRUG FREE ZONES

Golden's meth-amphetamine task force co-ordinator is exploring the
idea of having designated 'drug free zones' in various public areas
around the community which could help to deter the use and
distribution of drugs through moral persuasion.

The concept is similar to Golden's new tobacco free zones, where signs
- - funded jointly by the Interior Health Authority and the Town - are
currently being installed at recreation sites across the community
with the aim of promoting better public health with the message:
'Golden supports tobacco free zones - Smoking is discouraged in this
area.'

"I think if we can say that drugs are also not OK - not just crystal
meth, but drugs in general - and show we have zero tolerance for it
around playgrounds, parks and schools, it would be a huge help," says
co-ordinator Kathy Collins.

Similar measures have been implemented in Hope and Kelowna and, while
they aren't necessarily backed by a legal enforcement mechanism, could
prove to be effective simply by raising awareness.

"We need some acknowledgement that there's kids that hang out at these
places and [drug use] just can't happen there," says Collins.

In Victoria this week, Surrey-Panorama Ridge MLA Jagrup Brar
introduced the Crystal Meth Prevention Act, a bill which would limit
the sale of pseudophedrine and ephedrine products in B.C. by requiring
that these so-called "meth precursors" be sold only from licensed pharmacies.

This would help push small-scale producers out of the market, Brar
figures.