Pubdate: Fri, 09 May 2008
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Langley Times
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Frank Bucholtz
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/grow+operations
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/meth+labs

IMPERFECT SOLUTION

Grow-ops and meth labs are the scourge of the community. No one, other than
those who profit from them, will disagree with that statement - especially
if they have lived in close proximity to one.

However, with the suspension of the Public Safety Inspection Team's
work in Langley Township, citizens, officials and politicians should
think about the best way to fight such scourges.

The team, made up of fire, police and municipal officials, goes to a
home where there has been an increase in electrical power usage. Its
members ask to inspect the home, usually within 48 hours. No search
warrant is required.

The idea is to either shut down a grow-op or force the operators to
flee. Because they have some time (the Charter of Rights does not
permit instant arbitrary searches), they usually choose the latter
course.

While this does shut down one grow-op, it also means that it has
likely been relocated to another site. The owners of the property, who
are usually landlords, are left with a massive bill for the inspection
and any upgrading (mainly electrical) demanded by officials.

In reality, this a very imperfect way to solve a serious problem. If
grow-ops and meth labs are so bad (and they are), the federal
government needs to bring in much tougher, judge-proof laws that will
permit police to obtain warrants more easily so they can search a home
when the drugs are still there.

Shutting them down through a municipal inspection team isn't bad. But
if all this does is relocate the drug operations, how does this reduce
the number of grow-ops?

The federal government may also want to consider if marijuana should
be legally grown and sold through government outlets, as is the case
with liquor. Medicinal marijuana is already permitted, and few would
argue that it doesn't do some good for those with chronic health issues.

Using an inspection team with minimal powers, other than the
opportunity to leave a big bill behind, sounds impressive. In reality,
it isn't doing a great deal to make the community safer.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin