Pubdate: Fri, 14 Dec 2001
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Randy White
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n2040/a03.html

WHITE SAYS TIMES COVERAGE UNFAIR

THE EDITOR:

In the Dec. 7 editorial ('What experts?') it stated that "they failed to 
make sure some of the most informed Abbotsford residents attended their 
meeting."

Even though the committee was working on a tight schedule, all media in 
Langley, Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Mission, Surrey and Chilliwack were 
advised a week prior to the event with a public notice, with most, but not 
all, publishing the details of the meeting. During the three hours of 
public hearings, we had organizations and individuals contact us to make 
presentations. All were accommodated even though it limited their speaking 
time.

Even though I cannot be personally responsible for those who did not 
request presentation time, they still have the opportunity submit their 
views by sending their written submission to my office. I will personally 
ensure they get into the hands of every committee member.

I am disappointed the Times put down the expert testimony by such people as 
a mother with a child on drugs, representatives from rehabilitation 
facilities, several individuals personally affected by drugs, our mayor and 
many other organizations that have been involved in the fight against 
addiction. Once again, it is unfortunate your newspaper was unable to send 
a reporter to cover the full event, therefore allowing yourself the 
opportunity to make an accurate assessment of the quality of the expert 
testimony.

The Times also failed to observe the fact that the committee spent time 
with one very successful rehabilitation organization in our area (each 
visit takes about two hours in total) and four others outside the area, in 
addition to approximately 50 witnesses, all involved in drugs in their own way.

I had to fight hard in Ottawa to get the committee to Abbotsford. We could 
not get to Mission, Chilliwack, Burnaby, Richmond, the Interior, the north 
or most B.C. communities. That is the nature of the size of our country.

When we complete our final report in November, the drug problem facing 
Abbotsford will be measured on the same scale as those occurring in 
Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto and Halifax. Abbotsford will be 
representing all medium-sized communities across this nation and in many 
ways has handled the drug issue better than many cities that are three 
times its size.

It's ironic that the Times finds time to complain about the committee and 
pass judgment on an event it covered only a small portion of. Yes, I agree 
there are many other voices that can be heard in our community on this 
issue and I will continue to listen to them.

This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have input on drugs on a 
national scale and it is sad for your readers that you seem to have decided 
to forgo that opportunity.

Randy White, MP Langley-Abbotsford

Vice-chairman, parliamentary committee on the non-medical use of drugs
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