CRACK COCAINE MAKES INROADS IN CITY

A highly addictive drug once associated with major cities is slowly moving
into the country's smaller cities and rural areas.

Experts in addictions say there has been a huge increase in the use of
crack cocaine in small communities across Ontario. That doesnt exclude
Timmins.

There has been evidence of crack cocaine use in the city, said Timmins
Police Const. Joseph Romualdi.

I've seen a steady increase, he noted.

While crack use is increasing, the officer said it hasnt developed into a
major problem in the city.

Crack is not really seen on the streets - its usually sold as cocaine,
Romualdi said.

Crack is made by melting powder cocaine and adding baking soda and
sometimes other substances such as kitchen cleaners. The mixture is cooled
and hardened into a rock which is smoked with a pipe and produces a high
that lasts about 20 or 30 minutes.

Its highly addictive, Romualdi said.

Smoking crack cocaine gives the user a quicker high than cocaine, but a
cocaine high lasts longer. The crack user, therefore, needs to use more of
the drug to keep the high going.

The people that are using the crack cocaine are making it themselves,
Romualdi said.

As a result, it is difficult for officers to know how prevalent the use of
crack is in Timmins. During his 16-months on the drug enforcement unit,
Romualdi said he recalls only one seizure of crack.

In many cases, however, Romualdi has seen evidence of crack - baking soda
and crack pipes.

Its going to become more prevalent, Romualdi predicted. The only way we
make a dent into it is going after the bigger (cocaine) dealers on the street.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Division Cmdr. Eric Cheechoo said its difficult to
determine the use of crack in the 44 detachments which run up along the
coast of James Bay.

We do have drug problems in our community, he said, adding he is unsure
whether crack cocaine is on the list of problem drugs.

Cheechoo said while there are many cases of marijuana and hash seized,
there is not a lot of cocaine seized.

The service is currently promoting the use of Crime Stoppers which would
help various detachments plan seizures. He said many people wont call in
tips directly, rather the police hear it through third or fourth sources.

There's a lot of talk, but talk is talk, Cheechoo said.

He added the Nishnawbe-Aski Police encourages people to anonymously call in
their tips to 1-800-222-8477.