Pubdate: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 Surrey Leader Contact: http://www.surreyleader.com/ Author: David Marsh CRACK, METH USE ON THE RISE A "marked increase" in the use of crack cocaine and methamphetamines has taken place in North Surrey in the two years since a wide-ranging regional drug strategy was proposed and later fizzled, according to one of Surrey RCMP's top drug enforcement officers. Cpl. John Furac said the hard drugs, both potent central nervous system stimulants, have become increasingly prevalent in the area from Whalley to Guildford, although statistics are unavailable. "Crack dens and smoke houses have become very prolific in those parts of the city," Furac said. The time frame of the increase coincides with the period since a discussion paper was released by the South Fraser Health Region that proposed a coordinated, multi-agency approach to getting a handle on the region's drug problem. Released in the fall of 1999, the bid has since fizzled out for lack of a single agency among the many proposed for involvement - various health, social and police departments - with the time and resources to take the lead on following it through. The paper proposed defining drug use as a health rather than criminal issue, and involved a centrally coordinated balance of law enforcement, prevention and education, and "harm reduction" such as needle exchanges. Furac said he agrees a balanced approach of some sort is needed, and that it can't be left purely up to the police. "Our job is not to be social workers," he said. While the South Fraser's coordinated drug strategy has stalled, the city of Vancouver is pushing ahead with a similar multifaceted approach. And Vancouver Mayor Philip Owen, who says the suburbs "haven't shown a great deal of interest" in tackling the drug problem, warns they will see their drug problems getting worse soon if they don't start taking the issue more seriously. "People think the problem is all in the Downtown Eastside," Owen told The Leader. "But two-thirds of the drug dealers here don't live in Vancouver. They come into Vancouver on the SkyTrain to do their dirty work during the day, and go back to the suburbs at night. "Well, that game is over because we're putting a stop to it. It's going to be on their front doorstep pretty soon. Stay tuned." Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum replied that Surrey city hall is taking steps against the drug problem. He said the city has made gains in licensing drug and alcohol treatment facilities, and is now working on housing for the homeless and increased drug enforcement by police. "Owen seems to want to blame everyone else," McCallum said. "In Surrey we haven't been out in public like him, but we've been quietly doing action on it." Nevertheless, McCallum said he supports Vancouver's multifaceted approach in principle. He said he would gladly attend a regional mayors' forum on the issue, a meeting Owen said he has been trying to arrange for some time. Meanwhile, a B.C. government task force is expected to wrap up a review of the province's addictions services by the end of this month. Victoria has primary responsibility for drug policies, and Vancouver's proposal won't go ahead until both the province and Ottawa agree to enforce some of its provisions. Vancouver's proposal is available at www.city.vancouver.bc.ca on the Internet. - --- MAP posted-by: GD