B.C. LAGS BEHIND IN PREVENTION

Crystal Meth Takes a Higher Toll Because of Apathy

For the cost of less than a pack of cigarettes a person can get an
eight-hour high from crystal meth. Its low cost and long-lasting
effects make crystal meth the single most dangerous drug on the
streets, and for that reason B.C. politicians must lead the charge,
not lag behind the rest of the country, when trying to curb this
insidious drug.

We had warnings from Oregon and Washington that crystal meth would be
making its way north, yet B.C. seemed terribly unprepared to handle
the carnage caused by this drug.

We lack treatment beds, funding for detox programs, we offer little
resources for the mentally ill and we lag behind other provinces' meth
prevention initiatives.

Our politicians seem too busy basking in economic glory and dreams of
the 2010 Olympics to bother with the huge social issue going on right
around them.

While crystal meth spreads its destructive tentacles across this
country, it has taken the highest number of victims here.

Yet Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta reacted before us, limiting
people's access to cold remedies used to make the drug. Those
provinces require cold medicines that contain the chemical
pseudo-ephedrine (the main ingredient in meth) be sold only behind
pharmaceutical counters. Consumers have to ask pharmacists for cold
medicine and are only able to buy a maximum of 3.6 grams of such
products at one time.

Our government's response was to politely ask pharmacists if they
would like to monitor the amounts of cold medication being purchased.
We have the same slow response to curbing the carnage caused by drunk
drivers. When our very own MLA Rich Coleman was solicitor general, he
announced B.C. would require breathalyzers to be installed in the
vehicles of those convicted of impaired driving. Of course, other
provinces have had that tool in their crime prevention belt for years,
and still we sit and wait more than two years later.

The lack of treatment beds, particularly for females and teenagers, is
shameful in this province. Of the treatment available, most programs
cost thousands of dollars, limiting access to only the rich.

While the B.C. government did give $2 million to existing treatment
centres and another $2 million to education recently, there clearly
needs to be further help for the service groups that have the
expertise to deal with this. It's not just about money either, it's
about putting forward initiatives like other provinces have that will
make a difference.

This drug is destroying thousands of lives. It isn't going away
anytime soon, so we better start fast-tracking ideas that will help
slow its reach.