CUSTOM-MADE DRUG SOLUTIONS DON'T PASS

A bid by the City of Abbotsford to allow cities to establish their own
solutions to drug problems failed to pass at last week's Union of B.C.
Municipalities convention.

"That didn't surprise me,'' Mayor Mary Reeves - the sole Abbotsford delegate
to attend the UBCM - said Friday.

A large contingent of lobbyists from cities such as Vancouver (where the
country's first safe injection site is in operation) swayed the vote against
the Abbotsford resolution.

Abbotsford's resolution read:

"Whereas some B.C. communities are strongly opposed to any type of harm
reduction program including safe injection sites, needle exchanges, free
methadone clinics or mobile dispensing units, and whereas local government
is the most appropriate level of government to determine the best interests
of its jurisdiction, therefore be it resolved each local government be
permitted to make decisions on drug strategies with autonomy, to reflect the
views of its constituents.''

This year marked the 100th anniversary of meetings of the UBCM, and the 2003
convention was held at Vancouver Conference and Exhibition Centre.

It began Monday and ended Friday.

It included opportunities for local mayor and councillors to meet with
provincial cabinet ministers and Premier Gordon Campbell.

From last week's talks, Reeves expects a deal to be reached soon on the
possible purchase of Tradex at Abbotsford Airport by the city.