CONTROLLING CRIME AND DRUGS IS A COMMUNITY EFFORT

To: Mayor Poole and the Citizens of Hope

Re: Hope's drug crisis and high theft problem

I never imagined I would be writing a letter to the mayor of a town
where I have lived for only two years, however, I am filled with
frustration and anger over what I have seen and learned this past
year. Most of us would agree that Canada's Justice System is known to
be less than perfect and it is often manipulated by felons, defence
lawyers, and judges who adopt a "quick solution" to cases. Our
country's lenient drug laws are in serious need of revision!

There is no one solution to Hope's numerous Methamphetamine addicts, a
large percentage of whom have mental disorders. Dealing with addiction
requires the cooperation of a number of public services. We need to
coordinate these better and lobby for other services if we are to be
successful in handling the present situation. Our police force spends
an extraordinary amount of time each week trying to stay ahead of the
escalating B & E's (Break & Enters) to both residences and businesses.
I have witnessed their growing frustration as the incidents rise
monthly. Hope is presently rated third in the province for the highest
number of thefts per capita. We are in danger of becoming No. 1 if
some realistic solutions are not found! I believe that the majority of
thefts are committed by addicts who are desperate to purchase more
drugs and food. When they are no longer able to steal from one another
they steal from the community.

Hope's RCMP detachment holds a top spot in B.C. with respect to the
high number of daily case loads they handle. In addition, they keep
track of the town's drug dealers who regard minors as fair game.

Although methamphetamines were popular in the 70's, today's strain
contains deadly ingredients and has horrendous consequences on the
body. Long term use causes teeth to rot, hair to fall out, rashes and
pimples to develop on the body, and legs and feet to ache. In the
final stages, the major organs of the body begin to shut down one by
one. The statistic for Crystal Meth addition recovery presently range
between 6 percent and 10 percent.

I have been criticized by police for allowing addicts to enter my
shop, "Caravan." I treat everyone who enters in a dignified manner and
regard the latter as "Humans with a Soul" rather than "Social
Outcasts". This stems from my spiritual beliefs and they are not about
to change. Treating addicts as people does not increase drug use or
promote thefts. Strangely, my "association" with these addicts has led
to a minimum of shoplifting for one year. However, last week, a
desperate seasoned criminal and his accomplice did break into the
store and stole a large quantity of silver Italian chains.

Some people believe that cutting all addicts off welfare or refusing
to rent living quarters to them, will encourage them to leave town or
to simply disappear! This is neither a realistic nor humane solution.

Some people believe that cutting all addicts off welfare or refusing
to rent living quarters to them, will encourage them to leave town or
to simply disappear! This is neither a realistic nor humane solution.
Hope already has a number of homeless young people who don't qualify
for welfare or have been cut off. They walk the streets with their
more precious possessions tucked into a backpack. Their clothing and
other items are divided among apartments and homes of friends where
they crash for the night, but are often stolen by other addicts.

Northwest Harvest, a Christian group in Hope, offers a food bank,
meals and clothing twice weekly to those in need and has also come
under criticism for doing so. We now have two drug and alcohol
counselors one for youths and another for adults working with Hope
Community Services. There are also a few people who counsel youths
from their homes. But this is a far cry from what is required to
combat the problem in our town.

Considering the severity of the drug problem in this area, I fail to
understand why shops in Hope who sell "bongs (pipes)" and other drug
paraphernalia are not asked to remove them, (Unfortunately, our
present laws states that unless pipes contain drugs it is legal to
sell them!) Sale of these pipes has proven to be a very profitable
business in Hope.

I would like feedback from Mayor Poole, as well as the general public,
with respect to finding possible solutions to our city's present
situation and perhaps setting up a town meeting would not be
unrealistic.

I will also be approaching business owners about organizing a
late-night neighbourhood watch system for specifically the downtown
area in order to cut back on commercial break-ins. I would also
recommend that others form neighbourhood watch teams, (organized
through the Hope Crime Prevention Society,) to protect their residences.

Please contact and support me in my efforts.

June Castro

Owner of "Caravan" "A concerned citizen" 604-860-0577