DRUG HOUSE STRATEGY PRAISED

Red Deer's top cop welcomes the province's plan to help shut down drug houses.

Supt. Brian Simpson says new legislation will support the Red Deer
RCMP's efforts to target the "neighbourhood nuisance."

"I think the province has heard the message loud and clear from the
public," said Simpson.

"It's not just the actual criminal activity - it's everything around
that activity that impacts neighbourhoods."

Drug houses disrupt neighbourhoods because thefts and break-ins often
increase around them. Drug buyers leave needles on yards and cause
traffic congestion.

"Your kids are walking home from school with these cars coming by -
it's not a good thing," said Simpson.

Even when police arrest the homeowner or tenant, another drug dealer
can take over.

Police know of about 20 drug houses operating in Red Deer at this
time. Shutting them down requires time and resources.

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act is expected to come into
force next fall.

It calls for creation of a new unit in the Alberta Solicitor
General's Department that will investigate complaints about drug dens
as well as gang and prostitution houses.

Any criminal activities that are uncovered will be turned over to
local police for further investigation.

Simpson said the Red Deer RCMP's street team has been "very
effective" in cracking down on drugs in the community, making drug
busts on a regular basis. He hopes the legislation will make the team
even more successful.

When neighbours report a drug house, they are often asked to report
activities and licence plate numbers of suspicious vehicles.

Police can't search the house until they have concrete evidence,
which can take many months.

The Red Deer RCMP works with the city and health region in an effort
to close drug houses. If the house contravenes city bylaws or health
regulations, action is taken under those rules.

Darlene Fountain of Red Deer waged a four-year battle to close the
suspected drug house next to her Eastview home before it was
demolished by the city. The city declared the house uninhabitable.
"No one should have to go through what I went through," said
Fountain, who recorded hundreds of licence plate numbers.

Fountain was awakened in the middle of the night by people looking
for the drug house. Family members were assaulted, and her house and
new vehicle were vandalized.

Fountain said she applauds the provincial legislation because it may
help homeowners.

"The city initially kept telling me they had no way to deal with it.
But the legislation may make it a whole lot easier to get rid of these houses."

The legislation is based on a model used in Manitoba and other
provinces, said Simpson.

Since the Manitoba legislation was enacted in 2001, more than 150
drug dens, gang and prostitution houses have been shut down.

The details of the legislation - including policies and procedures -
will be developed in partnership with local police, health
authorities, municipal agencies and government departments.

The legislation was a result of recent recommendations of the crime
reduction task force.

"We have made a pledge to work with communities to tackle crime and
its causes," said Justice Minister Ron Stevens.