TEENAGER LOSES HIS YOUTH TO DRUG ADDICTION

A 16-year-old boy could spend the rest of his young years behind bars
because of his profound drug addiction.

The boy pleaded guilty to 14 criminal charges in connection with a
series of break-ins at businesses, vehicles and homes in the Bible
Hill area. All of the break-ins were conducted to feed his drug habit.

The boy, who cannot be identified under provisions of the Youth
Criminal Justice Act, was sentenced to 12 months behind bars in
Waterville and a further six months of supervision.

If he breaches conditions while under supervision, he can be ordered
to go back behind bars until his release date.

He was so high when he was arrested, police had to take him to the
Colchester Regional Hospital emergency room as withdrawal symptoms
kicked in before he could be arraigned on break, enter and theft
charges, breach of probation and possession of stolen goods.

"We're dealing with a 16-year-old who's a heavy drug user," said RCMP
Sgt. Dave Darrah. "That drug use is everything from marijuana to
cocaine." Judge John MacDougall said the boy was in very "poor" shape
when he was arraigned Monday.

"Why he would put himself through that is beyond me," he said. "Go get
control of your life or your history is already written." Darrah said
the community is going through a rash of property crimes that are all
connected to drug use.

"We've known it for a long time," said Darrah. "The heavy drugs are
here and young people are very much into them."

Crown prosecutor John Nisbet said drug related crimes are on the rise.
"We don't prosecute 25 of these types of cases per year, but we're
getting close to it."