Drugs: The Issue

COLLABORATION IS KEY STRATEGY

David Sheach of the Boys and Girls Club, and one of the organizers of
the crystal meth symposium, says the biggest drug problem in the
community is alcohol.

He says there is a grey area between illegal drugs and the legal sale
of drug apparatus like bongs and pipes and magazines that promote
illegal drug use.

Rather than work to shutting down a business like the Happy Hippy
Hemp store, he says the community would be better off to get the
business owner on side to fight the problem of dangerous drug use.

"I'd rather see us include that guy in our plans, rather than run him
out of town. If we include him we'll have a better solution."

Wayne Lucier of the Metis Society agrees. Lucier also helped organize
the meth conference and recently received funding to conduct a series
of crystal meth workshops in the Cariboo.

He says the store owner should consider getting rid of his glass pipe
inventory.

"The only thing I've ever seen a glass pipe get used for is crystal
meth or crack."

Lucier says the Happy Hippy isn't the only retailer selling drug paraphernalia.

"We have stores all over the place selling the same kind of materials."

One concept expressed at the crystal meth workshop was that of harm
reduction. That's where the degree of harmfulness of various drugs is
compared. He says pot is a less harmful substance than crystal meth
or crack, but has its down side as well.

"I don't want to see kids do pot either. Because if you're stoned
it's hard to learn anything."

Bob Hughes a drug counselor at the Phoenix Centre in Kamloops says
he's shocked and alarmed about action taken toward legitimate
businesses like the Hippy Hemp store.

"It's not about going in and chasing him away. Harm reduction might
mean reducing access of materials for hard drug use for those who are
really at risk."

He said the community would be better off to collaborate with the
store owner to not carry certain products and recognize those people
most at risk.

"The glass pipes with the round ball at the end are used for speed."

There may be an opportunity for the community to work out a harm
reduction strategy with the owner of the Happy Hippy Hemp store after all.

Though he will soon be moving out of Delainey's Mall on Oliver
Street, Mike Dery says he has found a new location to set up shop on
First Avenue next to Aunt Bob's Bakery. He says he plans to expand
into hemp clothing and used CDs and DVDs.

"Business is growing steadily. There's a huge culture here."