FOUR PILLARS APPROACH PRICE-TAG WILL BE UNVEILED IN JANUARY

City council got its first look at the four pillars strategy on Monday
during a presentation by the steering committee of the Central Okan- agan
Four Pillars Coalition.

The wide-ranging strategy is calling for everything from increased policing
and drug courts to improved treatment facilities and better access to
recreational programs and facilities for youth.

It also made a pointed reference to safe injection sites, saying Kelowna
does not need one.

Based on the so-called four pillars--harm reduction, prevention,
enforcement and treatment--the strategy has been over a year in the making.

Robert James, who sits on the coalition steering committee, admitted that
much of the information presented to council was not new but rather,
represented a made-in-Kelowna solution utilizing bits and pieces of
strategies used elsewhere.

"The big challenge was to find out what's needed in our community," said James.

"Every community is unique so we had to find out the most appropriate way
to address each issue."

The presentation to council was described as an interim report with the
final framework expected to be complete for January.

That's when James said a price tag would be put to most of the recommendations.

"These are not necessarily new services but rather a more appropriate
design and delivery of existing services," he said.

Coun. Ron Cannan, for one, was supportive of what the coalition had to say.

"This is a broad societal issue that council is not going to solve by
itself. It's going to take the province and the federal government as
well," he said.

"The bottom line is this is going to cost money. If we don't spend any, it
will end up costing us a lot more."

Cannan said he expects most of his colleagues on council will support the
coalitions' conclusions especially the call for a city-employed drug
strategy coordinator.

"If this is just going to create more agencies or create bigger fiefdoms
for some people, then I won't support it," Cannan said.

"We want to make sure the money is going into accomplishing the goals which
is to clean up the streets and make them safer."

Cannan said the city has a duty to participate in the strategy. "We have to
be a partner in the solution," he said.

"When it comes down to it, are we willing to step up to the plate? I think
we have to. We have no choice."