POLICE CUT OFF THE CASH AND EDUCATE THE KIDS

It was not long before the activities in a small travel trailer in a
residential neighbourhood caught the attention of police this summer.
The long list of calls from concerned neighbours lead to an in-depth
investigation and the arrest of a middle-aged woman in Memorial Park.
Half an ounce of crack and powdered cocaine separated into
approximately 50 Baggies and flaps were seized by police. On the
streets the drugs would have brought up to $1500 of easy cash. The
case is just one of many that are in front of the courts from
communities across the country.

"Hope is not immune to the problem of illicit drug use and the
associated ill effects of this societal problem, says RCMP Corporal
James Paulsen.

"One of the disturbing trends, not only in Hope but in Canada, is that
younger and younger people are being coerced into experimenting with
illegal drugs."

The most effective away of reducing the harm drugs cause is to
persuade all potential users, but particularly the young, not to use,
adds Paulsen.

"Success will only be achieved if we stop young people from developing
drug problems, reduce the prevalence of drugs on our streets, and
reduce the numbers of those with existing drug problems by getting
them effective treatment."

"Drug abuse is a societal issue and we have to increase our efforts as
a community to solve the issue."

Currently marijuana, crack cocaine, and Crystal Meth are the most
heavily used drugs in the Hope area and are easily accessible.

In focusing, in part, on marijuana grow operations police halt
millions of dollars from the Hope area making it into the hands of
criminals, who then fund future drug activity and organized crime, say
police. The RCMP "recognize that attempts to combat criminal
enterprises require an attack on their financial framework, included
in this, is grow operations.

"I think a lot of people have this idea that its a 'Mom and Pop'
organization growing personal or medical use marijuana. This is not
the case in a lot of grow operations.... Often the profits from such
grows either go directly or indirectly to support organized crime...
Grow operations also devalue real-estate property, damage rental
properties, and cause safety issues with electrical bypasses," adds
Paulsen.

In tackling the dealing of drugs on our streets and from known drug
houses, police have both uniform and plain-clothed RCMP members
working on investigations, adds Paulsen. "Local constables are aware
of local dealing issues and the associated crime that is connected to
it. A high percentage of property crimes in the Hope area are directly
related to supporting drug abuse. This results in such activity as
break and enters, theft of vehicles, shoplifting and prostitution. The
local RCMP are very aware of and target individuals who are chronic
lawbreakers within the community. "

When need be, resources like the RCMP Drug Section, Police Dog
Services, Emergency Response Team, and Air Services can be drawn out
of Chilliwack to assist in an investigation or bust. But even with all
the resources at their disposal, investigations still take time, notes
Paulsen. "The police have stringent rules to follow. Some people in
the general public have a 'CSI' television series view of how policing
works, which is really not the case in reality. If a matter could be
investigated, written up and dealt within the courts in a one hour
episode that would be fantastic, however in reality major files often
take months and even years."

Police also focus their efforts in cutting off the market for drugs,
by educating the drug dealer's future customers. The RCMP Drug
Awareness and Resistance (DARE) program is taught by officers in the
classroom. Parents need to take a strong role in drug proofing their
kids as well, reminds Paulsen. "Communicate with your children.
Educate, educate, educate."

Police also need the public's help in reporting crime. "CrimeStoppers
pays cash for anonymous calls providing confidential information that
helps police solve crimes." "Crime Stoppers works by civilians calling
in anonymous tips on criminal and illegal drug activity, however if
you witness a crime in progress, you should call 911."