PROVINCIAL CASH WILL FIGHT METH

It takes the entire community to tackle a problem as large as crystal
methamphetamine.

That's why, despite a Union of B.C. Municipalities resolution and an
announcement from Premier Gordon Campbell that will spend $7 million to
help fight meth addiction, it's important for everyone in a community to
pitch in.

"Crystal meth is a massive problem and it's only getting bigger," Maple
Ridge-Mission MLA Randy Hawes said while on a break from the legislature in
Victoria on Monday. "We recognized the provincial government cannot solve
this all on its own. It takes a community and all its agencies and people
working together with the provincial government before we even begin to
address the problem."

During the UBCM convention in Vancouver last week, representatives from all
over B.C. passed a resolution that asked the provincial government to
provide financial and other services to:

- - limit access of over-the-counter ingredients required to produce the drug

- - increase public awareness and education about crystal meth use

- - provide assistance to deal with at-risk groups

- - provide assistance to treat the addiction problem created by meth use

- - provide assistance for additional policing/safety inspection required to
ensure the ongoing safety of B.C. communities

On Thursday, Campbell announced $7 million in provincial cash will go
toward fighting crystal meth addiction - $2 million to the UBCM as seed
money for community programs dealing with crystal meth; $3 million toward
public education on meth and another $2 million for treatment programs.

"It's very good news," said Harry O'Connor, director of Fraser House in
Mission, a home where drug and alcohol addiction counselling, prevention,
intervention and treatment programs are offered on an out-patient basis.

"Crystal meth is a considerable problem. It's used a lot and it can cause
disastrous results."

O'Connor was pleased to hear education and prevention were mentioned by
Campbell, since he feels those are the areas communities need to
concentrate on the most.

"It is such a huge problem, so in the long term, education and prevention
are going to be what can make a difference," O'Connor said. "We need to
help people not to start taking this drug."

Hawes said the seed money given to the UBCM will translate into about
$10,000 per community, so each community can draw up a plan and task force
- - similar to ones already in place in Mission and Maple Ridge - to help
battle meth.

Hawes emphasized the need for the entire community to be a part of the
solution.

For example, he said, some of the most effective treatment centres for meth
addiction have been houses with 8-10 beds, something he said regular zoning
doesn't allow.

"We've got to partner with cities to find solutions," he said. "this is
right at the top of our radar screen - we know if we don't do something
right now, crystal meth will destroy communities."