Pubdate: Sun, 02 Oct 2005
Source: Tri-City News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005, Tri-City News
Contact:  http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239
Author: Tom Fletcher

CAMPBELL FINDS FUNDS FOR METH, MUNICIPALITIES

VANCOUVER - Premier Gordon Campbell brought his chequebook to the Union of 
B.C. Municipalities convention Thursday, announcing $7 million in funding 
to combat crystal meth addiction and a boost to provincial grants for small 
rural communities.

Calling meth a "dirty, filthy drug" that permanently wrecks people's lives 
and health, Campbell told a capacity crowd of civic politicians that $2 
million of the money will go directly to municipalities to support their 
own programs, patterned after successful initiatives like the 
"meth-kickers" program in Kamloops. Another $1 million is to fund an 
awareness program in schools and $3 million will be spent on TV and other 
advertising to get the message out about the dangers of the drug.

Municipal leaders gave the premier a standing ovation at the Vancouver 
Trade and Convention Centre but, after the speech, NDP leader Carole James 
scoffed at the treatment funding and grants that amount to $10,000 in 
one-time "seed money" for local anti-meth groups. James said parents of 
addicted youth are already working on the problem with their own resource.

"Now, for them to hear the little amount of money, $10,000 for each 
community, only $2 million for addiction services for detox beds, I think 
it's an insult to the people who've been working hard in communities to 
address this problem," James said.

Asked about the criticism, Campbell said the government can't just "throw 
money out and see if it works," but there is more to come once effective 
strategies are identified.

"This is part of what we intend to do, it's not all of what we intend to 
do," Campbell said, adding new legislation to control the ingredients for 
meth manufacturing is also being studied.

Campbell received his loudest applause from civic leaders for a promise to 
double unconditional grants for small communities and regional districts, 
starting in next year's B.C. budget. He did not specify how many years it 
would take to increase the fund from $27 million to $54 million.

The premier also had a warm reception to his announcement that the province 
will donate land for a new "municipal house" to showcase B.C. communities 
in Victoria.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D