COUNCIL DEVELOPING PLAN TO REDUCE ALCOHOL AND DRUG MISUSE

Municipal councillors have taken the first steps in developing a
'made in Mission' drug strategy through the crime prevention plan.

The Lower Mainland Municipal Association (LMMA) commended council for
the move as they presented a draft regional action plan to reduce the
harmful effects of alcohol and drug misuse Monday.

While LMMA is presenting the plan to various municipal councils, it
is continuing to pitch the plan to the provincial government, meeting
with Solicitor General Rich Coleman and minister of Health Planning
Sindi Hawkins today.

We don't know what the provincial budget cuts will do to drug
programs," said Fearnley the night before the budget came down.
However, Hawkins wants to put funds into drug abuse prevention, said
Fearnley.

The action plan is the first attempt to initiate a co-coordinated
drug strategy, said North Vancouver councilor Bob Fearnley, who is
chairman of the drug strategy committee.

Parties involved include all levels of government, police health
authorities and school districts.

Under the plan, Mission was asked to work with LMMA to develop a
Mission drug strategy, support LMMA in a call for more rehabilitation
facilities, and support the call for a coordinated
multi-jurisdictional drug program in the Lower Mainland.

"What you've asked us is very supportable," said Coun. John Pearson.
The current action plan sets five main goals:

* Leadership and cooperation. LMMA aims to raise greater public
awareness of the issue, urges local governments to set action plans,
and encourages cooperation between agencies and governments.

* Primary prevention, which includes improved planning and delivery
of alcohol and drug misuse prevention. "Just say no isn't working,"
said Fearnley. "You have to get really factual information out to
students."

* Early intervention and treatment. This includes lobbying for more
detox and treatment facilities, school-based programs for youths with
substance abuse, and more access to treatment for those in the
criminal justice system.

* Precautionary harm reduction measures. "This is obviously one of
the hot buttons people look at," said Fearnley. "Harm reduction is
not about facilitating drug use."

* Crime control, drug control and law enforcement. This involves
involving law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in the
implementation of a regional strategy to reduce harmful effects of
substance abuse.

A more in-depth summary of the action plan can be found on some
municipal websites, including
www.township.langley.bc.ca/council/initiatives/summary.pdf.