PROVINCIAL METH STRATEGY HELPS DEAL WITH GROWING PROBLEM IN LANGLEY

The B.C. government has launched a new strategy to reduce the rise in the
use of crystal meth.

Susan Brice, minister of state for mental health and addiction services,
made the announcement last week.

"We have heard the growing concerns of parents, teachers and front line
workers about the harmful impacts of crystal meth on the people who use
it," said Brice. "This strategy is part of our government-wide focus on
prevention and early intervention. It will focus the full range of
available resources to discourage use and to treat those who are already
addicted to this profoundly damaging drug."

Langley has been identified as one of the areas that has more problems with
the drug, compared to other cities, said addictions leader Sherry Mumford
of the Fraser Health Authority.

Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Hope, Mission, Whalley, parts of Langley and
pockets in the Tri-Cities area are seeing higher use of the drug, she said.

The province will identify high-risk populations, reducing individual harm,
building safer communities, increasing the skills of service providers and
informing the public.

"I believe this strategy responds to the many calls for factual information
and practical advice that have come to me," said Brice. "This provincial
framework for action integrates the knowledge, skills and resources of six
B.C. ministries, six health authorities, police and the justice system so
they can maximize their efforts."

But some Langley agencies that deal with addiction first-hand knew nothing
of the strategy announced by Brice. The Times called several local
organizations and most weren't aware of the initiative, or had only heard
of it through the media.

In the past year, local Mounties have busted half a dozen meth labs in
Langley homes, the most recent on a rural property in Aldergrove in April.

The majority of the labs dismantled were cooking up crystal meth and some
were for making ecstasy, said Langley RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Dale Carr in
an earlier interview.

"Meth labs are a huge public safety concern. The chemicals involved are
extremely volatile, can explode at any time and if inhaled can cause
irreparable damage to an individual," Carr said.

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One of the largest busts in Langley took place in February in the basement
of a rental home owned by the Langley United Church in the 5600 block of
200 Street.

Langley City's chief building inspector Tim Hickey condemned the building,
ordering it to be demolished.

In an earlier interview with The Times, Hickey said the amount of chemicals
found in that basement had the potential to blow up a large portion of the
church, which neighbours the rental home.

The city has put the demolition order on hold while the church looks at the
financial feasibility of having the home cleaned up. A private company may
be hired to evaluate the damage and see what is entailed to make it safe to
rent again.

If that happens then Hickey would have to attend to the home again and
decide whether to lift the demolition order or not.