METH DOMINATES MLA'S TOWN HALL

A town hall meeting organized by the local MLA last week nearly became
a one-issue meeting with conversation dominated by the emerging
crystal methamphetamine problem in Mission.

Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Randy Hawes has been talking about this
particular drug's affect on the district and its youth at several
venues, and helped organize a crystal meth forum at the Best Western,
held Sept. 29 in conjunction with Fraser House.

A petition circulating through town asking the federal government to
increase the penalties for a crystal meth conviction was questioned by
some in the crowd.

Hawes said the petition was one thing he could start doing right now
to try and help alleviate the problem.

Hawes also mentioned a provincial meth strategy that has been put
together, adding there are many sections where individual communities
put in what they want.

"Our strategy is simply a framework," said Hawes. "It is up to
communities to fill in the blanks."

Steve Sharpe, president on the board of directors at Fraser House,
told the audience meth use is up 20 per cent from last year, and
emphasized the forum was "not a political venture."

"It's for this community. There's a meeting here tomorrow night
[referencing Thursday's OCP amendment meeting] and there are strong
passions on both sides. I would love to see that passion show up on
the 29th."

Hawes also spoke about the economy, stating it is currently "booming."

"We currently have the best economy in the country," he said.

The government has been consulting with business leaders and has heard
positive comments.

"Businesses like the tax cuts and elimination of useless red tape,"
Hawes said.

Things are so good, he continued, there is currently a labour shortage
in some industries, such as local sawmills.