RCMP DEAL WITH HIGH RIVER'S ADDICTIONS

Symptoms, Street Values Of Popular Drugs

Where there's a demand, there's always a supply.

And Highway 2 acts as a pipeline for drugs like cocaine, ecstasy,
marijuana and crystal methamphetamine coming into High River.

"We're very close to Calgary, and a lot of the major drug suppliers
come from there," High River RCMP Const. Erik Youngstrom said.

"It's a safe bet that the majority of drugs are coming from Calgary.
Organized crime is believed to be the source."

These drugs affect everyone, whether they believe it or not, the
constable said.

Drugs impact every segment of society, regardless of social status,
income, age, gender or level of education, Youngstrom said.

"The majority of people struggling with addiction aren't usually
rich."

Cocaine, marijuana, hash - these mind-altering substances don't come
cheap.

In High River, one gram of cocaine has a street value of anywhere from
$80 to $100. Most abusers would buy a quarter gram for $25 or so.

In Alberta, an ounce of cocaine is worth between $850 and $1,200, said
Staff Sgt. Ross Shapka, who has had experience on Calgary RCMP's drug
section.

A regular user of cocaine might smoke 250 to 1,000 milligrams a day. A
heavy user might sniff or smoke up to 10 grams per day.

A heavy user of marijuana uses about one ounce a day.

And in High River, it's not hard to see the impact. On a frequent
basis, there are property crimes committed, cash and other items
stolen, in all likelihood to fuel drug habits.

"Drugs are the lowest common denominator of all crimes," Youngstrom
said. "They're going to be related to a lot of the crimes we deal with."

Recent items stolen from one business included drug paraphernalia like
pipes and bongs.

"It's our belief that drugs played a role in the suspects' motivation
to commit those offences," Youngstrom said.

Over the last year, there were a total of 22 drug-related
charges:

. 1 double doctoring

. 8 charges of possession of a controlled substance

. 3 drug related 24-hour suspensions

. 1 charge of trafficking in marijuana

. 1 charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking

. 2 charges of possessions of cocaine

. 1 charge of possession of cannabis over 30 grams

. 1 charge of possession of cannabis under 30 grams

. 1 charge of possession of trafficking cocaine.

In the last two years, High River RCMP executed at least six search
warrants. One in Blackie resulted in a small marijuana grow-op and
cocaine seizure. The other five search warrants in High River all
related to drugs.

More recently, the police had a few relatively small
incidents.

On Oct. 1, High River RCMP members were dealing with an unrelated
matter when they encountered Bradley Tardif, Youngstrom said. There
was significant drug paraphernalia, and RCMP seized more than 200
grams, or roughly 7.2 ounces of cocaine.

"At the time, Tardif had been out of jail for three months,"
Youngstrom said. "He was charged with possession of a very significant
amount of cocaine."

The cocaine seizure was one of the biggest busts in High River's
recent history.

Another major story in the last few months was that of Jesse James
Anderson, a cocaine addict, who went on a drug-fueled rampage that put
him in jail for years. He carjacked two vehicles, threatened a Nanton
resident with a meat cleaver and ended his spree with an attack on an
off-duty police officer.

He admitted to a court judge that he used harder drugs like crack
cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and ecstasy as a coping mechanism
when he was stressed out.

His violent rampage is one example of what effects drugs can have on
human bodies.

These drugs are illegal for a reason.

They change behaviour, produce addiction and have serious side
effects.

Cocaine is a stimulant that is produced as a white powder from the
South American coca plant. It makes users feel alert, happy and
energetic. Large doses of the drug can produce euphoria or may results
in erratic or violent behaviour. Addicted users often do risky things
to support their habits.

Overdosing on cocaine can lead to death, as well as other serious
incidents. Strokes, heart attacks, suicides, murder and fatal
accidents have been linked to cocaine.

"A real wide range of mood swings will often indicate a hard drug like
cocaine or crystal meth," said Const. Krista Woods, the local Drug
Abuse Resistance Education Program coordinator. "With cocaine and
other stimulants, mood swings are definitely one to look for."

Marijuana, also known as weed, has been around for decades. It is a
mood and mind-altering drug and makes the user feel relaxed. While
under the influence of marijuana, sounds and smells are more distinct,
but users may also have trouble concentrating or experience temporary
psychosis. Weed is a fat-soluble drug and thus remains in the body
longer.

A change in appetite is an indicator of marijuana use, as users often
get the "munchies" after smoking. Bloodshot eyes, dry mouth, impaired
comprehension and a short attention span are some of the side effects.

Heavy users of marijuana can become dependant on the drug. Longer-term
effects marijuana can have on people include cancer, as cannabis smoke
contains carcinogens.

"With the chronic marijuana user, there will be a real lack of energy
and chronic fatigue," said Const. Woods.

"Users will sleep for long periods of time," she said. "Marijuana
affects the brain to where there is long-term and short-term memory
loss."

High River RCMP have also found certain drugs cut, or laced, with
crystal methamphetamine.

Meth, also known as speed, ice, or glass, is a toxic stimulant that
makes users feel alert and energetic. Meth affects the brain and the
central nervous system, making users experience euphoria,
hallucinations or feelings of power. Side effects of the drug include
a decreased appetite with resulting weight loss, irregular heartbeats,
headaches and blurred vision.

"With crystal meth, they can stay awake for long periods of time and
then, all of a sudden, they'll crash," Const. Woods said. It's a
trendy drug for teenagers because of the weight loss factor, but it's
extremely addictive.

Chronic abuse leads to psychotic behaviour, paranoia, violent and
aggressive behaviour. Overdosing on crystal meth can cause cardiac and
neurological damage, seizures, strokes, heart failure and ultimately
death.

On a wider scale, residents should always be aware of environmental
indicators that may point toward a drug lab or grow-op, Woods said.
There are indicators to help spot drug activity in the community.

"If there's a strong chemical smell, described as a sweet chemical
smell coming from a neighbour's house, it could indicate a meth lab,"
Woods said.

And crystal meth labs are dangerous. By-products in the making of
crystal meth are toxic gases, which can lead to fire or explosions.
Houses that contain labs have to be decontaminated after they've been
exposed and can remain uninhabitable for months.

Excess garbage is also an indicator.

"If neighbours are putting out an excess of garbage on a regular
basis, that might indicate material used to make a lab," Woods said.

If a residence is in disarray, "if all of a sudden they're really
letting their yard go, and it was neat before, that might indicate
drugs," Woods said. "People often get very careless and let their yards go."

Condensation on the sides of houses might be a sign of a marijuana
grow-op.

"Sometimes you'll see condensation on the siding, that might indicate
there are warm temperatures inside - lamps used in grow operations,"
Woods said.

Lots of traffic coming and going from a house might indicate drug
trafficking.

Daunting as it may be for community members, the High River RCMP has
had reasonable success in terms of enforcement.

"We know we've had some success, but make no mistake, we're certainly
not finished," Youngstrom said.