NOT IN OUR BACK YARD

Grow-ops are not unique to the South Cariboo, as the Central Cariboo
is also being overrun with them.

Cariboo Regional District (CRD) chair Al Richmond says RCMP Cpl. Brian
Evans presented information on grow-ops at the recent board meeting.

The RCMP are concerned with the dangers associated with these
operations, Richmond says, including electrical safety, fire hazards
and the unsafe disposal of fertilizers and chemicals used in growing
the plants.

They also have trouble dealing with the excessive amounts of garbage
and hazardous materials left behind by the operators, including
electrical ballasts potentially containing polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs).

Most of the structures have significant amounts of mould growing in
and on the walls, which present a hazard to the investigators and is
costly to remove safely.

"The local detachments are overrun with complaints and are having a
difficult time balancing their other work with the number of
drug-related complaint investigations they need to do."

Funding to deal with these types of investigations is inadequate, he
notes.

Glen Holling, a local realtor who spoke about the impacts these types
of operations have in the neighbourhoods where they set up, also made
a presentation to the board.

Richmond says Holling was of the opinion grow-ops significantly reduce
property values not only to the grow-op house, but also to the
neighbourhood.

However, property prices are not a determining factor when drug
dealers look at setting up a site. High-price, golf-course properties
have been used as well as rural properties with no electrical services.

The RCMP is asking the CRD and other local governments to establish
bylaws to make the Cariboo a less attractive area for potential
grow-op operators.

Richmond says Surrey bylaws had a significant effect on the number of
grow-ops in that community, but the regulations have forced the drug
houses to move to rural areas of the province.

The Controlled Substance Bylaw in Surrey led to the formation of the
Electrical Fire Safety Inspection Program, including fire services,
RCMP, electrical inspectors and by-law enforcement officers.

The RCMP is asking local governments to pressure the province for more
resources to fight this type of crime as well as for provincial
legislation that would increase penalties for drug-related crimes.