PANIC, POLITICS OR PRUDENCE?

Not surprisingly, we support providing information to the public.
After all, it's our business. So we are naturally keen on providing
information on what could be a very real threat to our children in the
city.

Crystal meth, or methamphetamine, is nasty stuff. Anyone who knows
someone who has used it and become addicted can attest that it is
equally as destructive as - if not more so than - such old-time drugs
as heroin and cocaine, if comparisons should ever be made.

But we are also cautious in pressing the panic button. B.C.'s
provincial health officer said Monday that over-dramatizing the
dangers of methamphetamine use to young people across B.C. could be
counter-productive. He asked, "The question is, do you want to make it
sound like everybody is at risk and everybody is using it?"

Dr. Perry Kendall has a very good point. We also have to point out
that local authorities in New Westminster are not ringing alarm bells
over the issue. In fact, they say there is very little meth use at the
present time.

We're sure that some will say that MLA Joyce Murray and the provincial
government are quick to use the issue to get some publicity out of it.
Is it all politics? We think Murray is genuine in her personal
concern, but there is also political capital to be gained on the issue.

So, is our page 3 feature on the issue and the public forum that is
being held on the issue an unnecessary 'dramatization'? We certainly
hope not. We hope that, as Murray says, we are providing information
that can be used to prevent problems, not exploit them for news
purposes or political purposes. Time will tell if we are being prudent
or overreacting.