CAMPBELL HAS CASH FOR CRYSTAL METH CRACKDOWN

VANCOUVER - Premier Gordon Campbell brought his chequebook to the Union of
B.C. Municipalities convention Thursday, announcing $7 million in new funds
to combat crystal meth addiction, and a boost to provincial grants for small
rural communities.

Calling meth a "dirty, filthy drug" that permanently wrecks people's lives
and health, Campbell told a capacity crowd of civic politicians that $2
million of the money will go directly to municipalities to support their own
programs, patterned after successful initiatives like the "meth-kickers"
program in Kamloops.

Another $1 million is to fund an awareness program in schools, and $3
million will be spent on TV and other advertising to get the warning message
out about the dangers of the drug.

Municipal leaders gave the premier a standing ovation at the Vancouver Trade
and Convention Centre, but after the speech NDP leader Carole James scoffed
at the treatment funding and local grants that amount to $10,000 in one-time
"seed money" for local anti-meth groups.

James said parents of addicted youth are already working on the problem with
their own resources.

"Now for them to hear the little amount of money, $10,000 for each
community, only $2 million for addiction services for detox beds, I think
it's an insult to the people who've been working hard in communities to
address this problem," James said.

Asked about the criticism, Campbell said the government can't just "throw
money out and see if it works," but there is more to come once effective
strategies are identified.

"This is part of what we intend to do, it's not all of what we intend to
do," Campbell said, adding that new legislation to control the ingredients
for meth manufacturing is also being studied.

Campbell received his loudest applause from civic leaders for a promise to
double unconditional grants for small communities and regional districts,
starting in next year's B.C. budget.

He did not specify how many years it would take to increase the fund from
$27 million to $54 million.

The premier also had a warm reception to his announcement that the province
will donate land for a new "municipal house" to showcase B.C. communities in
Victoria.

Campbell congratulated the UBCM on its 100th anniversary, and for putting
municipal issues on the federal map.

Prime Minister Paul Martin was scheduled to take over the premier's usual
Friday morning keynote speech to announce his "new deal for cities"
initiative, returning fuel tax revenues directly to municipalities.

"For 635 million bucks, I'll move back to Monday if you want me to,"
Campbell quipped.