HOW TO DEAL WITH DRUGS AND CRIME?

A task force will explore possible solutions to Surrey's problems with drug
abuse and the resulting crime that comes with it.

Mayor Doug McCallum confirmed Friday that an "action committee" has been
authorized to explore ways to reduce the problems associated with drug
abuse, especially in the Whalley core.

The news comes days after Coun. Dianne Watts announced several initiatives
she was pursuing, including the decentralization of the Whalley needle
exchange, and the creation of a detox facility and other treatment programs
to provide a "continuum of treatment."

She says the yet-to-be-named task force may include head of the needle
exchange Jim Bennett, the region's chief medical officer, a local MLA, an
MP, one or two doctors and the RCMP.

"The objective of the task force is to... deal with the high cost of crime
directly related to addiction," Watts said Friday.

McCallum feels the group, which he's hesitant to call a task force, must
act on solutions rather than simply discuss them.

"We feel we need to act on some of these things, and not just set up a task
force to study it and come up with recommendations," McCallum said, adding
the creation of a detox facility is a good example.

"At the bottom end we've got to provide some services," McCallum said.
"Maybe detox isn't a (separate building) anymore, maybe there's another way
to do that."

The group will have its first meeting in two to three weeks, Watts said.