A local effort to tackle the problem of marijuana grow ops has won a prestigious award. Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis was in Victoria at Government House today (Friday) accepting the first annual Lieutenant Governor's Award For Public Safety. Garis attended with Dr. Darryl Plecas of the University College of the Fraser Valley, who helped develop the program in which firefighters assist in taking down pot grow operations. B.C. Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo presented the award Friday evening. "This innovative and successful approach focuses on the fire and electrical risks associated with grow ops rather than the issue of criminality," Campagnolo said in a release this week. "It demonstrates the value of different agencies in the community working together to devise new approaches to old problems." [continues 245 words]
About 15 convenience stores in Surrey have received letters from the city's bylaw department asking them to stop selling drug paraphernalia. A business licence amendment will be coming before council soon to allow the city to shut down stores that sell the goods. The issue made headlines this week, with several residents complaining that pipes used for crack cocaine were being sold at corner stores. The existence of crack pipes in corner stores became an election issue this week, with Surrey Civic Coalition council candidate Stephanie DeRapp demanding action from the city. [continues 76 words]
It could get tougher to make crystal meth, as police, fire department and community groups work to choke off availability of the drug's ingredients. An increasingly popular drug among youth, crystal methamphetamine is easy to make, with most ingredients available at stores. Ingredients, known as precursors, are the target of the Crystal Meth Task Force, which has been granted $10,000 from Surrey council to educate retailers on how to restrict supplies to make the drug. The province and federal governments are willing to help fund the project. [continues 115 words]
HIV Centre Lease Expiring, Community Study Ordered A medical centre and needle exchange in Whalley faces imminent closure this month as the city demands a community impact study. It leaves more than 5,000 annual patients cut off from their current source of medical attention. Operators of HIV/AIDS Centre Society, in the 10600-block 135A Street, say those people will likely be packing Surrey Memorial Hospital's already overcrowded emergency ward. Each month, the society treats 150 AIDS patients, 50 people on anti-retroviral drugs, 50 methadone patients and about two dozen people who drop in for emergency medical treatment. [continues 461 words]
Council, Residents, Hail Decision To Continue EFSI Initiative Water seeping down her walls, a persistent skunky smell, and frightening" people coming and going in the middle of night are just some of the impacts a marijuana grow operation is having on one woman's life. This is no way to live," the 65-year-old Kennedy Heights resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. She expressed relief after learning about a program led by city staff, RCMP and the fire department to shut down grow operations. [continues 353 words]
Council, residents, hail initiative to shut down marijuana operations Water seeping down her walls, a persistent skunky smell, and frightening" people coming and going in the middle of night are just some of the impacts a marijuana grow operation is having on one woman's life. This is no way to live," said the 65-year-old Kennedy Heights resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. She expressed relief after reading in the June 17 Leader about a program led by city staff, RCMP and the fire department to shut down grow operations. [continues 520 words]
Surrey School Board Asks Courts To Drop A B.C. Marijuana Party Action The Surrey School Board is denying "each and every" allegation made against it by the B.C. Marijuana Party (BCMP), according to a statement of defence released by the board. The BCMP is suing the board for barring the party's candidates from participating in local high school sponsored debates. "We feel the targeted exclusion of the B.C. Marijuana Party is anti-democratic. We think it sends a bad message to students and we think it violates the Charter (of Rights)," campaign manager Kirk Tousaw told The Leader last month. [continues 124 words]
Residents react with fear as homes used for cultivating marijuana Residents of an upscale neighbourhood are expressing frustration this week after two grow op related incidents indicate the indoor pot plantation business has arrived. People living in the Harvest Wine subdivision in Newton are reacting with fear and dismay after police attended a grow operation and a failed grow rip in a matter of days. One exasperated resident scrawled "Pot Growers Not Welcome!" on a suspected grower's garage. Another local, who didn't want to be identified, said Wednesday t he community feels powerless in large part because of the court system. [continues 242 words]
A B.C. Marijuana Party candidate currently in prison kicked off his campaign for a Surrey provincial seat Monday. Don Briere, incarcerated in Abbotsford for violating parole, has decided to take another run for the riding of Surrey-Tynehead. "I'm a victim of the war on marijuana and Ottawa's failed criminal prohibition," Briere said in a release Monday. "My time in prison has only reinforced my belief that our laws need to change, and change quickly." Elections BC's Jennifer Miller confirmed there's nothing prohibiting Briere from running, and District Electoral Officer Jerry Della Mattia said Briere's nomination is just being reviewed. All 25 people who nominated him must be eligible to vote in the riding. [continues 180 words]
People charged with crimes may lose their property if they can't prove it was bought with legally gained money. Legislation introduced in Victoria last week will eventually allow government to seize goods believed to have been bought with ill-gotten profit. The proposed legislation is causing concern on the part of B.C. Civil Liberties Association. Known as "civil forfeiture," the legislation could be enacted by fall and goods could be seized soon thereafter, B.C. Solicitor General Rich Coleman said. [continues 221 words]
In 2003, one out of every 20 house fires in Surrey was caused by a marijuana grow operation, a five-fold increase from seven years prior. In addition, the amount of damage caused by the blazes almost doubled (from $31,000 to $59,000 per fire) from 1997 to 2003. The figures come from a report by the University College of the Fraser Valley titled Marijuana Growing Operations in British Columbia Revisited, 1997-2003. The report indicates "Surrey has surpassed Vancouver as the most prolific jurisdiction (for grow operations) in the province." [continues 163 words]
It's lights out for grow ops in Surrey. The province, city and B.C. Hydro are set to announce a new initiative that could shut power down to homes with marijuana grow ops in Surrey. In the works for some time, city crews-including fire and electrical inspectors-will perform preliminary inspections regarding power consumption, electrical permits and exterior improvements. If a grow op is suspected, RCMP, the fire department and an electrical inspector will knock on the door. If there's no answer (as will be the case in most grow ops) a 72-hour notice will be placed on the door demanding inspection, and if one isn't allowed, power to the home will be cut off. [continues 282 words]
It's lights out for grow ops in Surrey. The Leader has learned the province, city and B.C. Hydro will announce an unprecedented initiative that could shut power down to homes with marijuana grow ops in this city. In the works for some time, city crews including fire and electrical inspectors will perform preliminary inspections regarding power consumption, electrical permits and exterior improvements. If a grow op is suspected, RCMP, the fire department and an electrical inspector will knock on the door. [continues 378 words]
What Is Methadone? And Why Do People Use It? Those were some of the questions asked at a forum hosted Tuesday by the Whalley Business Improvement Association (BIA). President Pete Nichols said the forum's goal was to educate area residents and businesses on the drug, which he says is surrounded by "myth." Methadone is used to assist heroin addicts in getting off their harmful habit, and staying off. The well-established programs have come under fire in this city, primarily over street sales of the drug, and the number of methadone dispensaries which have located in the area over the past several years. Some believe the outlets attract more addicts to the community, with associated problems. [continues 132 words]
Police are appealing for an end to the blood-letting after two men were murdered in an apparent gangland or drug-related homicide. "We don't want to see any more violence, we don't want to see retaliation," said RCMP Cpl. Diane Blain at a press gathering Monday. "We don't want to see any more senseless deaths, so please come forward and speak to police." At 3:35 a.m. last Thursday, a Surrey RCMP officer came upon a blue Ford F150 at 160 St. and 103 Ave., northwest of Tynehead Park. It contained the body of one man, and a second wounded man who later succumbed to his injuries. Both had been shot. [continues 153 words]
A local drug and alcohol recovery group has received a $1-million donation from Vancity Credit Union toward the creation of a major drug withdrawal management facility in Whalley. On Wednesday, Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society received the funding from Vancity, bringing the Phoenix Centre closer to its target of $5.6 million. The 34,000-sq.ft. centre will be one of the first projects to integrate addiction services, transitional housing, employment and education services under one roof for more than 100 recovering addicts annually. It is expected to be open next fall. [continues 412 words]
A concentration of drug and alcohol treatment services is forming along the southern edge of Surrey Memorial Hospital, including two detox facilities and possibly an addictions resources centre. Maple Cottage Detox, formerly in New Westminster, is moving to a three-acre parcel of property on 94A Ave. It will have detox beds for 30 clients, six of those reserved for youth (18 years old and younger). Addictions experts and social service providers have long said Surrey needs detox facilities. Maple Cottage offers medically supervised detox, the most intensive available outside a hospital setting. [continues 444 words]
A concentration of drug and alcohol treatment services is forming along the southern edge of Surrey Memorial Hospital. Maple Cottage Detox, formerly in New Westminster, is moving to a three-acre parcel on 94A Avenue. It will have detox beds for 30 clients, six of those reserved for youth 18 and younger. Addictions experts and social service providers have long said Surrey needs detox facilities. Maple Cottage offers medically supervised detox, the most intensive available outside a hospital setting. Once in the detox, an on-duty physician prescribes medication for withdrawal management, then patients are monitored by nurses and other staff. [continues 366 words]
About $100 million worth of proceeds of crime have been seized by the B.C. and federal governments over six years but cities haven't received a penny of it for local policing. Like other municipalities that foot the bill for RCMP, Port Coquitlam wants some of the booty to help pay the costs of crime-fighting. "I think our police need more resources to help tackle some of these larger problems," said Coun. Greg Moore, chair of the protective services committee. [continues 459 words]
Fewer problems are expected in Whalley now that more pharmacies throughout the city will be offering methadone, city officials say. For years, the city has asked the College of Pharmacists to reduce the concentration of methadone services in North Surrey, particularly methadone dispensaries which exist primarily to supply that medication. Methadone is a synthetic opiate commonly used to reduce the effects of heroin withdrawal, but is sometimes prescribed for pain management. Surrey officials believe the "dispensaries" have attracted drug dealers and associated crime to the Whalley core. [continues 408 words]
Surrey's drug teams have busted almost a grow op a day in the last four months, and the city's top cop is he's hoping to increase the raids to tackle marijuana cultivation. The successes are occurring despite impediments to RCMP investigations because of recent court decisions. RCMP Sgt. Gord Friesen, who heads Surrey's drug section, told the city's police committee Tuesday Surrey RCMP have executed 100 warrants for marijuana grow operations since October. Asst. Comm. Gary Forbes told the committee he wants to step up the raids to "between eight and 10 a week." [continues 262 words]
A regional detox facility and a Betty Ford-style addictions treatment clinic may locate near Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH), The Leader has learned. A combination of various facilities could turn the area into a major addictions treatment centre, rivaled by few others in the Lower Mainland. Coun. Dianne Watts, chair of Surrey's drug-crime task force, characterized the recent developments as "strictly awesome." A private hospital, designed after the famous Betty Ford clinic in the United States, may soon be built and operated with private funding, possibly within six months. Patients would be charged to use the facility, based on a sliding scale of their ability to pay. [continues 453 words]
Policy Stresses Education And Prevention Over Treatment And Enforcement Surrey has adopted a four-pillar approach to the city's drug problems. Monday, council approved the Drug-Crime Task Force Policy Paper, a document which will likely be folded into a larger social plan to become a key document in Surrey's substance abuse strategy. The policy paper recommends a four-pronged approach, including prevention, education, treatment and enforcement. Unlike Vancouver's "four-pillar" approach, Surrey's plan does not include harm reduction, such as safe injection sites. Instead it stresses education and prevention for youth. [continues 424 words]
Surrey Has Adopted A Four-Pillar Approach To The City's Drug Problems. On Monday, city council approved the Drug-Crime Task Force Policy Paper, a document that will likely be folded into a larger social plan and will become a key document in Surrey's strategy towards drug and alcohol addiction. The policy paper recommends a four-pronged approach, including prevention, education, treatment and enforcement. Unlike Vancouver's "four-pillar" approach, Surrey's plan does not include harm reduction, such as safe injection sites. Instead it stresses education and prevention for youth. [continues 449 words]
Surrey will review a proposed four-pillar drug strategy tomorrow, a document 18 months in the making that could steer the city's approach to drug and alcohol addiction for years to come. The long-promised document will be discussed at Monday's regular council meeting. Coun. Dianne Watts, who chairs the city's drug-crime task force, would not release the document before the meeting, but said it's based on prevention, education, treatment and enforcement - particularly around youth. "There is an adult problem, and we're well-aware of that," Watts said Friday. "The task force felt because Surrey has the most children and youth per capita in the province, we want to put a system in place whereby our children don't become the addicts of tomorrow." [continues 270 words]
This city needs a social services plan to deal with substance abuse and homelessness, according to the mayor. The exact details are as yet unclear, but the fact Doug McCallum is now asking for the document is a breakthrough for at least two councillors. The initiative comes five years after Coun. Judy Villeneuve began regularly asking her colleagues for such a plan. She's been repeatedly turned down by council members, including McCallum, who have been reluctant to pick up related costs and responsibilities from senior levels of government. [continues 347 words]
A drug and alcohol recovery centre planned for a property near Surrey Memorial Hospital has been given preliminary council approval, despite the fact it no longer includes a "desperately" needed detox facility. Phoenix Recovery Society plans to build a recovery centre and transitional housing facility at 13686 94A Ave. The proposal has been scaled down from one made last month, when the proponents hoped to include a homeless shelter and detox facility. Mayor Doug McCallum was upset that the detox component is no longer part of the plan. [continues 153 words]
A special drug court could be coming as part of several recommendations of a drug-crime task force struck by the city two years ago. The idea is one of several in Surrey's drug abuse plan expected before council next month. Coun. Dianne Watts, who chairs the task force, said Tuesday that drugs are central to the city's crime problems. "In order to deal with the core issues of crime, we need to deal with drugs and substance abuse," Watts said. [continues 108 words]
Two parallel programs are being implemented to clean up errant hotels and motels along the King George Hwy. that serve prostitutes and drug dealers. The city is launching a carrot-and-stick initiative by clamping down on hotels catering to an unwanted element. Coun. Gary Tymoschuk, chair of the city's public safety committee, said Monday hotels along King George Hwy. - mostly south of 92 Ave. - will soon receive visits from city staff, including bylaw officers and building inspectors, as well as police and staff from the health department. [continues 185 words]
News of the Maple Cottage Detox Centre relocating to Surrey has elated local service providers. "Awesome, we've talked about this for 30 years," said Peter Fedos, program manager of Hyland House, a 69-bed integrated shelter complex in Newton. Up to 70 per cent of Surrey's homeless are addicted to drugs or alcohol, and service providers say a large number of those could benefit from detox. Having a detox in Surrey is crucial, Fedos says. When Maple Cottage was in New Westminster, it was was frequently occupied by Vancouver clients. [continues 266 words]
Surrey could soon be home to as many as 32 detox recovery beds. Brenda Locke, the MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers, announced Monday that Maple Cottage, a 22-bed detox centre in Burnaby may be moving to Surrey, subject to city council approving rezoning. "I think it's important news for Surrey, and I think it's important for the health of our community," Locke said Tuesday in an interview from Victoria. "I'm really pleased about it." Maple Cottage - formerly in New Westminster -has 19 beds for adults and three for adolescents, making it the only facility in the Lower Mainland offering medically supervised alcohol and drug detoxification treatment for teens from 14 to 18 years old. [continues 306 words]
We found her under a soggy sleeping bag on a cold February morning last year. The 20-something blonde was wedged in a narrow alleyway between two Whalley businesses, sleeping in a fetal position- a box of Kraft Dinner clutched in her right hand. She woke, friendly and unafraid of the two strangers by her side, one with a camera, the other with a notepad. An ugly argument with her boyfriend left her with no place to stay, until "whenever..." Photographer Evan Seal and I spent months up in Whalley, photographing and talking to Surrey's homeless. [continues 367 words]
Enhanced policing in Whalley will cease in a few weeks if funding isn't found to keep extra officers in the area. As part of Operation Clean Sweep, 10 officers have been posted in the area, stopping cars, cyclists and vagrants in an attempt to clamp down on the amount of drugs and prostitution in Whalley. Those officers have been on overtime, and that funding runs out at the end of this month. Surrey's public safety committee has asked the city manager to prepare a request to council for more money to keep up the pressure in the area. [continues 78 words]
Fines, undercover investigations and increased enforcement are on the way for Surrey methadone pharmacies, as the city and B.C. College of Pharmacists attempt to ensure the drug is legally dispensed. The latest solution replaces a controversial bylaw that would have allowed police to scrutinize the patient lists of methadone pharmacies in Surrey. That plan drew fire from senior levels of government, the health community and the B.C. Privacy Commissioner's Office. As of Monday, pharmacists will be investigated by their regulating college and fined up to $5,000 by the city if they are found to be dispensing methadone contrary to prescription instructions. [continues 341 words]
Methadone dispensing in Delta will be restricted to hospital zones, if a bylaw is adopted as planned next Monday. The Leader has learned that Delta staff will present a bylaw to council amid concerns of an influx of methadone dispensaries trying to avoid the high cost of licenses to run the business in Surrey. A number of Surrey councillors feel the stand-alone methadone dispensaries are poorly regulated, and attract people who are addicted to drugs other than methadone. Last November, the city cranked up the price of a methadone dispensing business licence from $195 per year to $10,000 annually. In addition, Surrey will be considering a bylaw next week that allows senior RCMP officers to examine the client lists of the pharmacies. Delta Mayor Lois Jackson told The Leader last week she feared an influx of methadone dispensaries during Surrey's crackdown. [end]
Methadone dispensing in Delta will be restricted to hospital zones, if a bylaw is adopted as planned next Monday. The Leader has learned that Delta staff will present a bylaw to council amid concerns of an influx of methadone dispensaries trying to avoid the high cost of doing business in Surrey. The Leader has also learned that George Wolsey, the owner of North Surrey's Priority Drugs, is applying for a licence for a new pharmacy in Delta, under the name of Can Del Drugs at 11962 96 Ave. Wolsey used to run a pharmacy at 83 Ave. and Scott Road, until he moved to North Surrey. [continues 134 words]
Delta is preparing for a small invasion of methadone dispensaries from Surrey, as pharmacists seek to avoid the growing cost of business east of Scott Rd. Last November, Surrey jacked up the business licence fees for methadone dispensaries from $195 annually to $10,000 per year. A number of city officials consider the storefronts, which exist primarily to dispense methadone, to be a blight on the community. Delta Mayor Lois Jackson has been told that a North Surrey methadone pharmacy wants to move to her city. She knew it was a strong possibility, given the Surrey's position on methadone dispensaries, and now she has concerns similar to those in Surrey. [continues 84 words]
A plan has been hatched that could control methadone dispensaries in Whalley, and keep the city from enacting a bylaw allowing police access to the files of methadone patients. On Wednesday, city manager Umendra Mital outlined a plan to the city's public safety committee that would allow methadone-dispensing pharmacies to be open seven days a week, enabling all outlets to provide daily witnessed ingestion (DWI) of the drug. Secondly, Mital is recommending a "cap" on the number of methadone patients a pharmacy could accept. A limit of "30 or 40" clients would eliminate the "methadone mills" that operate out of some North Surrey pharmacies, city officials believe. [continues 305 words]
Mohamed Dewji, a pharmacist at North Surrey's Medical Centre Prescriptions, had about 40 methadone clients before so-called "methadone dispensaries" arrived in Surrey two years ago. Those drug stores, which deal primarily in dispensing methadone, have siphoned off much of his business, leaving him with about 12 clients. "What are these other pharmacies giving them that I'm not?" Dewji asked city council at a public input meeting on Monday. The meeting was scheduled to give the public a say on a controversial bylaw that would allow senior police officers access to client lists of methadone pharmacies. [continues 483 words]
Watch for The Leader's special section, 'The methadone question,' in the April 6 issue. The delivery of methadone services in Surrey will the focus of a meeting between provincial health officials and city representatives today (Friday). Council has expressed significant concern over the emergence of "dispensaries" that primarily exist to provide methadone to recovering heroin addicts. Late last year, Surrey increased the licence fees for the dispensaries from $195 per year to $10,000. On Monday, council is expected to hear input from the public on a bylaw that would give police unfettered access to methadone client lists. [continues 108 words]
Even if electrical bills show consumption rates suggestive of a marijuana grow op, it's beyond the legal rights of BC Hydro to report that information. While most pot grow operators steal the electricity by rewiring power lines, some legally use the power to the home, and pay the bills. Because of the grow lights and fans required, the cost is usually eight to 10 times that of a typical home and therefore easy to identify. The provincial power authority does report thefts of electricity to police, which often results in the bust of a marijuana grow operation. However, officials with Hydro say they can't become more involved, and that's drawn criticism from the public, particularly residents of neighbourhoods plagued by pot operations. [continues 220 words]
Sandra walked into Park City Pharmacy at 13565 105A St. recently to get her daily dose of methadone. She's had some trouble stabilizing on the drug, so her doctor has her on daily witnessed ingestion (DWI) - a dose that must be taken in front of the pharmacist every day. Those instructions are clearly written and stamped on the prescription. Sandra (not her real name) is there with The Leader. She takes a day's dose in front of the pharmacist and then leaves with another bottle of methadone. [continues 550 words]
Canada's top law enforcement official says he'll explore whether there should be stiffer penalties for people who start marijuana grow operations. Federal Solicitor General Wayne Easter visited Surrey Wednesday to get a first-hand look at the city's increasing problem with marijuana grow operations. The Leader revealed March 5 that as many as 4,500 grow operations exist in Surrey, a figure that represents about six per cent of the city's households. Surrey Coun. Dianne Watts said criminals are attracted to the province because of the "lax" penalties regarding marijuana grow operations. [continues 374 words]
Canada's top law enforcement official will look into stiffer penalties for people who start marijuana grow operations. Solicitor General Wayne Easter visited Surrey Wednesday to get a first-hand look at the city's increasing problem with marijuana grow operations. RCMP have said as many as 4,500 grow ops exist in Surrey, representing about six per cent of the city's households. Surrey Coun. Dianne Watts said criminals are attracted to the province because of the "lax" penalties regarding marijuana grow operations. [continues 306 words]
Over the past 14 years, more than $200 million in proceeds from criminal activity have ended up in Ottawa's general revenues, rather than being returned for local law enforcement initiatives. Proceeds of crime include cash, and other assets seized by the courts and sold because they were used for criminal activity. The proceeds are transferred to the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, where the money ends up in general accounts, rather than being returned to the communities in which the ill-gotten loot was gathered. [continues 605 words]
Physicians who run the methadone program in Surrey say doctors and pharmacists won't comply with a controversial bylaw requiring pharmacists to make methadone client lists available to police and bylaw officers. Surrey council voted six to three in favour of the controversial legislation Monday night. The bylaw, modified slightly since it was introduced last week, limits access to the medical records to a police officer with a rank of at least inspector. The medical community, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, and the B.C. Privacy Commissioner's office have all sent critical letters to the city over the past week. [continues 538 words]
Surrey council is expected to vote on a controversial methadone pharmacy bylaw Monday that has prompted an investigation by the B.C. Privacy Commissioner's Office that may have sweeping implications for several other municipal bylaws throughout the province. A formal investigation has been launched into all city bylaws that require businesses to compile clients' personal information for use by police. It was prompted by a discussion paper presented to city council Monday recommending that methadone pharmacies keep a list containing patient identification with copies of prescriptions for law enforcement or bylaw officials on demand. [continues 387 words]
Surrey officials are aware of a "huge" grow operation problem in the city and insist the "lax" penalties issued by the local courts are attracting criminals from elsewhere. The Leader first reported Wednesday that up to 4,500 homes in Surrey contain marijuana grow operations, a figure that represents about six per cent of the city's single detached dwellings. Coun. Dianne Watts, chair of the city's public safety committee, was aware of the number of grow ops through discussions with the Surrey RCMP drug squad. [continues 349 words]
You can get just about any drug you want at school - mostly marijuana, cocaine and speed. That admission from an Earl Marriott student came as parents filed into a forum called "Partners in Parenting: Myth versus Reality" Tuesday evening. The forum is one of many to be scheduled throughout Surrey to help parents build relationships with their kids, schools and the community. The girl, who didn't want her name used, freely admitted using pot, but hadn't ventured into more serious drugs. She attributes her caution to values instilled by her family. [continues 659 words]
A proposed Surrey bylaw to regulate methadone dispensing could violate some of the most "sacrosanct" areas of public privacy, a provincial official says. And the governing body overseeing pharmacists' practices says that if their members obeyed such a bylaw, they'd be in contravention of the College of Pharmacists code of conduct, and could be subject to sanctions. Surrey city staff presented a discussion paper on Monday proposing a regulation that would require local pharmacists to track their methadone clients, ensure the drug is taken as prescribed, and provide identifying information about their customers to bylaw officers or police on demand. [continues 459 words]
