REAL LEADERSHIP

Crack cocaine and crystal meth are growing problems in the South Okanagan.
Both drugs are highly addictive, highly destructive and spreading. The
problem exists on both sides of Boundary Road that separates the town from
the Osoyoos Indian Reserve but has manifested itself most visibly on the
reserve where much of the recent violence appears related to drug use and
drug turf.

To their huge credit, the band leadership has chosen to confront the
problem head on and publicly. Last week's band meeting was conducted in
front of the television cameras and local press. The usual instincts of
politicians, either town or band, is to worry about the public relations
issues of talking about problems. 'Better not create the impression that we
are the local drug capital.' Fortunately, the band has it priorities right.
There is a crisis and it needs to be addressed by all the community
members. Policing can help but the main burden falls to the community
whether on the band or town side of Boundary Road.

All of us need to get the message out to our friends and family members.
Crack and crystal meth will provide you with immense short-term pleasure
but it is a pact with the devil. The short-term pleasure comes with a huge
long-term price of physical and mental destruction. We all need to see
someone in the psychotic stage of crystal meth use to truly understand the
disaster users are courting. These are not recreational drugs. They cannot
be indulged in on a casual basis like a cold beer on a hot afternoon or an
evening of fuzzy-headed munchies from smoking a joint. They will make you
their slave.

We're grateful to the band for showing courage and real leadership.