DRUG HOUSE CAMPAIGN PAYING OFF

An enforcement campaign against local drug houses is showing results, Mayor
David Perry told a breakfast meeting Wednesday. But a lot of work remains
ahead, he said.

"It's not just an enforcement issue," he said. "It's a societal issue."

Wednesday's Breakfast with the Mayor organized by the Penticton Hospitality
Association, the Penticton Lakeside Resort and the Penticton & Wine Country
Chamber of Commerce drew some 60 people - many of them local business
leaders - to the Penticton Lakeside Resort.

It was the first of its kind since the municipal election and Perry used
the occasion to talk about the campaign announced two months ago, to
eradicate drug houses. "I have a concern about drug houses in the
community," he said.

While he is shocked by what he sees happening in the city late at night -
the mayor has accompanied local RCMP on the evening shift several times -
Perry is also pleased to hear the campaign involving various city
departments, police and the fire department is showing results.

"I have given them this mandate to follow and they are doing an excellent
job of taking what I have given them," he said in a later interview.

Wednesday's meeting also included presentations from RCMP Insp. Dan Fudge
and Tina Head, manager of the Community Policing Services Unit.

While local police have worked hard to reduce demand for drugs through
various programs, they have "dropped the ball" on enforcement in the past,
said Fudge, who sees evidence drug use is on the rise.

But the current campaign against drug houses is promising, he said.

Head agreed, pointing to a drop in cases at a local motel which has
experienced on-going drug-related problems. The owner has agreed to work
with RCMP and the community policing office.

Patrons will sign a declaration that they won't participate in drug-related
activities on the premises and the owner will keep track of the license
plate numbers of any vehicles seen coming and going regularly.

The campaign will eventually expand to other businesses and residences,
said Head.

Perry also discussed council's first 130 days in office.

In that time, council has held a successful town hall meeting, endorsed a
comprehensive development plan for the city, streamlined the management
structure at city hall, worked towards signing an "historic" agreement of
greater cooperation with the Penticton Indian Band and passed a budget,
Perry said.

While the process of passing the budget was "extremely difficult," it gives
Penticton a good foundation for future growth, he said. The next Breakfast
with the Mayor is June 4. Its location will be announced at a later date.