ALL EYES ON CITY'S NEW DRUG BYLAW

When the city introduced a plan to control the sale of hydroponic
equipment, as an obstacle for drug producers, they expected to
attract attention from other communities.

It turns out they've been getting even more attention than they
expected. Coun. Sharon Gaetz, who chairs the city's public safety
advisory committee, said the proposed bylaw has been attracting much
media attention, even from national newspapers and broadcasters.

"It's generating a lot of interest," she said. "All of these places
are asking for more information on this."

Gaetz has already been interviewed a number of times about this
latest weapon in the city's war on illegal narcotics production.

"It has the potential to really affect the drug industry," she said.

The bylaw, if passed, will work along the lines of another recent
bylaw that regulates the influx and sale of goods to pawn shops and
other second-hand stores.

The bylaw will require businesses selling hydroponic equipment to
obtain a $1,000-per -year licence as well as their regular business
licence. They must also maintain a register of the sale of the items
they can show police. As well, buyers are to show picture I.D. and
proof of residence.

Some are questioning the bylaw, most notably the B.C. Hydroponic
Merchants Association, which is considering court action to defend
the rights of legitimate hydroponic merchants and fight what they see
as an invasion of privacy. (The bylaw was the subject of a public
hearing at city hall last night that took place after press time.)

Gaetz though reiterates that the bylaw is directed at those supplying
grow-ops and the grow-ops themselves rather than legitimate
agricultural enterprises.

"We've no intention of making life difficult for people growing
tomatoes and green peppers," she said.

As far as the cost of $1,000 for a special licence is concerned, some
have said the amount is excessive but Gaetz argues the city itself
faces excessive costs associated with grow-ops because of safety
hazards, staff time and greater police costs. The hope is that the
licence will help the city refund these expenses as well as
discourage the drug trade. "We want it to be full cost recovery."

The idea to regulate equipment sold by hydroponics dealers, Gaetz
said, actually came up last fall. Representatives from Abbotsford
suggested it at the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention.