"ODD SQUAD" TELL IT LIKE IT IS

An image flashes on the screen of a unkempt, emaciated man, writhing on the
dirty sidewalk while trying to clap his hands.

"I didn't realize I did that," said former heroin addict Randy Miller. "I
thought I was singing and clapping and having a good time.

"This can happen to anyone," he said. "I don't know anyone that's wired on
heroin or crack that didn't start with pot."

A former hockey player with NHL prospects, Miller got hooked on heroin at
17, and three years later "graduated downtown."

In the downtown eastside of Vancouver, an area with the worst drug problem
in the country, "people don't look at you like you are human anymore," said
Miller.

Despite that, he refused to do drugs in a room with a mirror.

"I was scared to look in the mirror because I'd be scared to see what I was
doing."

Miller, who has kicked his 13-year addiction, now tours the country,
speaking to people about his substance abuse.

He spoke to more than 200 people, including a large number of children,
during an presentation on the reality of drugs Tuesday night at Matsqui
Centennial Auditorium.

It's a problem that's not just in the downtown eastside, but also in
Abbotsford. That was demonstrated by a number of people in attendance.
Janice spoke of the struggles with her adult son's crack addiction. "I've
stomped on his crack pipe and cursed, " she said. "I've praised him when
he's on one of his up cycles."

He struggles with trying to recover, she said.

Others in the audience spoke of being a former drug dealer, or of being a
recovering addict.

A teen spoke of living with parents that were heavy users until he was
seven, and another teen, who had quit smoking marijuana, wanted to help his
friends quit.

Another woman, who lives in downtown Abbotsford and questioned how to deal
with the problem, shared a personal encounter with Matthew, a member of the
heroin-addicted family documented by two Abbotsford Police officers.

He had been outside the house in which his family squatted, ready to take
heroin with a friend. "The yard was stuffed with garbage . . . and the yard
reeked of urine," she said.

"There's no doubt this is a screwed-up situation and it's all because of
drugs," said Rick in the police video. He used to live in the
now-demolished home.

The biggest way to address the problem is through education and speaking to
government officials, the Tuesday forum was told.

"The reason it's not a higher priority is that people aren't vocal enough,"
said Canadian Alliance MP Randy White, who is working on a national drug
strategy.

"We have to take proactive force," said M.C. Bill Wolfe, with the National
Training Centre. "My biggest fear is the legalization of drugs."

Many questioned harm reduction measures like needle exchange and methadone
clinics. They are a "quitter's answer," said White, calling the measures
"harm extension, not harm reduction."

"I totally agree with no needle exchange and methadone," said audience
member Jennifer, a former drug dealer. "It delays recovery."

Miller added: "I don't really agree with it (methadone), but it's the only
way to get off the street. I just kicked that last month after
two-and-a-half years."

The forum was organized by National Training Centre, FirmBase Foundation,
the ADBA, Odd Squad Productions and Abbotsford Police.