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.
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