DRUG HOUSE BYLAW FIRST STEP IN GETTING RID OF THE PROBLEM

The Town of Lake Cowichan has taken the lead in nipping drug houses in the bud.

Council's introduction of a bylaw last week puts a lot of
responsibility on the property owners for marijuana grow-ops and drug
labs. No longer will a house owner be able to plead innocence when a
renter uses the house to make and sell drugs.

The bylaw, which precedes one being looked at by the Cowichan Valley
Regional District, comes amid the public interest over the past few
months on drug houses in Cowichan Lake communities.

Speakers at the crystal meth forum in Lake Cowichan last week said it
takes an entire community effort to get to the root of the problem.
Council's move will be a big part of that.