PRICE OF CRYSTAL METH JUMPS IN SASKATOON

The price of a highly addictive illegal street drug has jumped in
Saskatoon since Christmas, prompting police to wonder why. "There are
so many variables," said Sgt. Jerome Engele of the Saskatoon
integrated drug unit. "For us to know why, it's hard to tell, but we
do know for sure the price is up."

Before Christmas, the price of one point of methamphetamine, also
known as crystal meth, was $10. It's now $25 per point or 0.1 of a
gram. Engele would like to think the arrest of two people in separate
incidents in December has reduced the supply of the drug in the city.
The individuals remain in custody and are facing charges of
possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Another reason for the spike in price could be more strategic, he
says. When crystal meth surfaced in Saskatoon, it sold for $20 per
point. The price then dropped to $10 before jumping up to $25 per
point. Saskatoon dealers might be thinking that they have a large
core group of users in the city who became hooked on the drug at the
lower price. Now that they are addicted, they are willing to pay
whatever the price to get their fix, says Engele.

The higher price for crystal meth will push addicts to do whatever
they need to in order to get money to buy the drug, says Nancy
Kushnir, an executive member with Families Against Meth.