HEROIN TO TRIGGER CRIMES

Plummeting worldwide heroin production could send drug prices skyhigh, and
cause local junkies to commit more crime so they can support their costly
habit, say Calgary cops.

The comments from local police follow a United Nations announcement that
opium production in Afghanistan -- once the world's largest producers --
has been virtually wiped out since the country's ban on poppy cultivation
in July.

Drug unit Det. Rob Atkinson said the laws of supply and demand dictate
smack prices will increase, pushing junkies to crime sprees.

"I think that would be fair comment," said Atkinson.

"People will need more money to supply their habit, which some junkies use
crime to do -- that's all part of the cycle. Either that or the purity of
the product will go down."

The drug, which is typically sold in one-tenths of a gram for $40, has been
on the uprise on Calgary streets.