Pubdate: Thu, 06 Oct 2005 Source: Williams Lake Tribune, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Williams Lake Tribune Contact: http://www.wltribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1226 Author: Tom Fletcher MONEY TO COMBAT DRUGS VANCOUVER - Premier Gordon Campbell brought his chequebook to the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention Thursday, announcing $7 million in new funds to combat crystal meth addiction, and a boost to provincial grants for small rural communities. Calling meth a "dirty, filthy drug" that permanently wrecks people's lives and health, Campbell told a capacity crowd of civic politicians that $2 million of the money will go directly to municipalities to support their own programs, patterned after successful initiatives like the "meth-kickers" program in Kamloops. Another $1 million is to fund an awareness program in schools, and $3 million will be spent on TV and other advertising to get the warning message out about the dangers of the drug. Municipal leaders gave the premier a standing ovation at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, but after the speech, NDP leader Carole James scoffed at the treatment funding and local grants that amount to $10,000 in one-time "seed money" for local anti-meth groups. James said parents of addicted youth are already working on the problem with their own resources. "Now for them to hear the little amount of money, $10,000 for each community, only $2 million for addiction services for detox beds, I think it's an insult to the people who've been working hard in communities to address this problem," James said. Asked about the criticism, Campbell said the government can't just "throw money out and see if it works," but there is more to come once effective strategies are identified. "This is part of what we intend to do, it's not all of what we intend to do," Campbell said, adding that new legislation to control the ingredients for meth manufacturing is also being studied. Campbell received his loudest applause from civic leaders for a promise to double unconditional grants for small communities and regional districts, starting in next year's B.C. budget. He did not specify how many years it would take to increase the fund from $27 million to $54 million. The premier also had a warm reception to his announcement that the province will donate land for a new "municipal house" to showcase B.C. communities in Victoria. Campbell congratulated the UBCM on its 100th anniversary, and for putting municipal issues on the federal map. Prime Minister Paul Martin was scheduled to take over the premier's usual Friday morning keynote speech to announce his "new deal for cities" initiative, returning fuel tax revenues directly to municipalities. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt Elrod