Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jul 2005
Source: Oliver Chronicle (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Oliver Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.oliverchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/875

REAL LEADERSHIP

Crack cocaine and crystal meth are growing problems in the South Okanagan. 
Both drugs are highly addictive, highly destructive and spreading. The 
problem exists on both sides of Boundary Road that separates the town from 
the Osoyoos Indian Reserve but has manifested itself most visibly on the 
reserve where much of the recent violence appears related to drug use and 
drug turf.

To their huge credit, the band leadership has chosen to confront the 
problem head on and publicly. Last week's band meeting was conducted in 
front of the television cameras and local press. The usual instincts of 
politicians, either town or band, is to worry about the public relations 
issues of talking about problems. 'Better not create the impression that we 
are the local drug capital.' Fortunately, the band has it priorities right. 
There is a crisis and it needs to be addressed by all the community 
members. Policing can help but the main burden falls to the community 
whether on the band or town side of Boundary Road.

All of us need to get the message out to our friends and family members. 
Crack and crystal meth will provide you with immense short-term pleasure 
but it is a pact with the devil. The short-term pleasure comes with a huge 
long-term price of physical and mental destruction. We all need to see 
someone in the psychotic stage of crystal meth use to truly understand the 
disaster users are courting. These are not recreational drugs. They cannot 
be indulged in on a casual basis like a cold beer on a hot afternoon or an 
evening of fuzzy-headed munchies from smoking a joint. They will make you 
their slave.

We're grateful to the band for showing courage and real leadership.
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MAP posted-by: Beth