COUNCIL ACCEPTS CRYSTAL METH REPORT

When Roseanne McGregor of the Cariboo Friendship Centre and David
Sheach of the Boys and Girls Club brought their conclusions of the
community forum on crystal methamphetamine to city council on
February 7, they were received with open arms.

McGregor said the purpose of the conference was to bring information
to the front line workers in Williams Lake and to get some facts out
about the harms of the street drug to the community.

She said 121 people signed up for the Thursday evening, February 2
information session, then 131 people signed in for the all-day
session on Friday, February 3. She said 74 people managed to stay to
the very end of the event.

"The community was able to tell us what they want to see," McGregor
said. "They gave us their priorities and it's a huge list."

McGregor suggested that the city accept the report and give it to its
portfolios for follow up.

"There are some concrete things the city may want to adopt."

Both Sheach and McGregor asked the city to use the results from the
conference to apply to the Union of BC Municipalities for two
specific grants of $20,000 and $10,000 to educate and streetproof the
city and surrounding region against the dangers of crystal meth.

"We have a solution in front of us. Use the recommendations to
develop a proposal to UBCM," Sheach said.

Mayor Scott Nelson, who attended the Thursday night session, didn't
need convincing.

"Crystal meth is a bad, bad drug. It eats your brain and destroys your body."

He said the community needs to create an awareness.

"I'm impressed with your recommendations, I've read through the whole thing."

McGregor said the issues need to be brought to the attention of
Interior Health Authority for them to pursue.

"We've very aware of the crime in this community directly related to drug use."

Nelson praised the forum organizers.

"You've come with solutions. When 121 people stay for two days that
shows commitment."

Coun. Jon Wolbers cautioned that the "bad guys" are working very hard
to get people addicted.

"I'll support anything you do," he told McGregor and Sheach.

Council approved its support of grant applications to UBCM for
crystal meth education, $20,000 through the Social Planning Council
and $10,000 through the Cariboo Chilcotin Metis Association.

In a related matter a letter from the city solicitor informed council
that it had no authority to impose a curfew on young people in the
city. The city administrator Alberto DeFeo told council that a curfew
bylaw contravenes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Not easily dissuaded, Nelson said council is eagerly going to pursue
other avenues to stop crime and violence in the city.