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." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth