CRYSTAL METH PROBLEM GROWING

Traffickers in harmful drugs such as crystal meth and GBL (gamma
buytrolactone -- also referred to as a date-rape drug), will be a key
target for Sicamous RCMP in 2007.

The details of RCMP Sgt. Jim Harrison's annual report, delivered to
Sicamous council at their regular meeting of Feb. 1 4, ranged from
good to disconcerting.

"Basically we saw some improvements in 2006 in regard to our crime
rate," said Harrison. "We saw some things go down, we saw some things go up."

On the positive side, Harrison reported that the crime rate within
the Sicamous detachment's jurisdiction had dropped from 697 criminal
code cases in 2005 to 647 in 2006. Charges of theft under $5,000 were
down from 107 to 77. Vandalism was also down from 130 to 121 charges.
Charges for common assault rose from 35 to 56. There was also an
increase in residential break and entry charges, up from 20 in 2005
to 28 in 2006.

The Sicamous detachment also saw a slight decrease in calls for service.

The RCMP did see in 2006 an increase in the number of drug-related
charges, up to 53 from 44 in 2005. The largest of these increases
were for marijuana possession, up from 16 to 20. Harrison noted,
however, that other drugs, particularly crystal meth, is a growing
problem in Sicamous among youth and adults.

"It was about a year and a half ago, when crystal meth was introduced
into this community that we became aware of it," said Harrison. "It
was introduced by a young woman who has since been charged. What
happened was she was mixing crystal meth with crack cocaine, selling
it as crack cocaine, and the reason for that was one, crystal meth
was cheaper than crack cocaine And the other thing is it's much more
addictive."

Harrison added that Sicamous RCMP have also seen another disturbing
increase in the use of the chemical drugs ecstasy and GBL.

"It's a date-rape type drug that's being used and it's a clear,
odourless liquid," said Harrison. "The kids are actually getting into
that as well."

To address Sicamous' growing drug issues, Harrison noted the
detachment's ongoing participation with the Crystal Clear on Meth
task force and the Sicamous and Malakwa Community InterAgency
Committee. At the same time, Harrison said police will continue to
target drug traffickers in the community.

"Visible drug trafficking has been targeted heavily in the past year
and although drug charges related to certain residences are few, we
have successfully displaced the activities at two known drug houses
for enforcement," says Harrison in his submitted report. "With this
problem comes disturbances, thefts, assaults and threats of bodily
harm cases as they relate to drug abuse and addiction. We are
continuing with strong enforcement action to combat these problems.
We are also targeting the problem with efforts in public education
and drug awareness Only by addressing the problem with a strong,
multi-level approach can we hope to see a reduction in the impact it
is having on the quality of life in our entire town and the surrounding area."

In 2006 the Sicamous detachment also experienced some in-house
changes, including the retirement of Maureen Sleasman, the
detachment's office manager for 17 years. Other staff transfers
resulted in a staffing shortage during the summer of 2006 -- an
unfortunate but typical occurrence, said Harrison.

"Staff changes have been sort of constant," said Harrison. "Last
summer, again, we ended up running short for two and a half months.
It just seems to be what sort of happens to us here."

For 2007, Harrison said the detachment will continue to focus on many
of the priorities it has in the past, including traffic law
enforcement, policing on the lake, as well as drug enforcement and
awareness. As well, Harrison said, the detachment has several new
initiatives it will be pursuing, including drug-awareness in the
schools and its local crime reduction strategy.

"We'll be working hand in hand with Crown counsel and members at
detachment to look at exactly what's happening in community," said
Harrison. "We are seeing a trends that tell us that a very small
amount of people are committing probably 80 per cent of the criminal
offences in our community, and therefore, crime reduction strategies
will be aimed at those individuals."