Pubdate: Fri, 28 Oct 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: John Bermingham

NPA ANNOUNCES METH BATTLE PLAN

It's Just 'Opportunism,' Says Green

NPA mayoral candidate Sam Sullivan is putting crystal meth at the top 
of his drug-policy agenda.

"Vancouver has a serious drug problem," said Sullivan, launching the 
Non-Partisan Association's drug strategy yesterday.

"We don't want to see the entire drug problem through the lens of the 
Downtown Eastside. This affects people from all neighbourhoods."

NPA council candidate Valerie Jenkinson is proposing a citywide 
crystal-meth task force.

"I believe that we've got to fight for our kids," said Jenkinson. "I 
believe we're in a battle."

Jenkinson said she worries about her 14-year-old son being sucked 
into crystal meth.

"I see it as the most insidious drug around. It's very cheap. It's 
easy to make. It's highly addictive, and it causes irreparable damage 
to the body."

Other NPA crystal-meth proposals include:

- - A Methwatch program for merchants.

- - Drug education from Grade 4 on.

- - Drug courts in the Downtown Eastside.

- - A controlled substances bylaw.

- - Drug treatment on demand.

Sullivan ruled out prescribing crystal meth, decriminalizing 
possession of small amounts or opening safe-smoking rooms.

Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Jim Green said picking out crystal 
meth, while ignoring other drugs, is irresponsible.

"That's the wrong way to go," he said. "Sam's been on council for 12 
years. Where is his leadership on this issue?"

Green said it doesn't deal with the underlying problems leading to 
meth use, such as homelessness and mental illness.

"I see it as nothing but opportunism," said Green. "We're going to 
hear about this for two or three days, and then it will disappear."

Sullivan also criticized recent comments by Mayor Larry Campbell that 
there is no crystal-meth "crisis."
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MAP posted-by: Beth