UBCM CAMPBELL FINDS FUNDS FOR METH

Premier Pledges $7 Million To Combat 'Dirty, Filthy Drug'

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 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.