PREMIER ANNOUNCES CRYSTAL METH FUNDING

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.