COUNCILLOR OFFERED CRYSTAL METH

Pincher Creek Echo - The loitering problem in Pincher Creek revealed
a more sinister side last Wednesday, after Town Councillor Trevor
Birkmann stepped out of his truck on Main Street and was offered honey
oil and crystal meth.

"I got out of my truck right across from Leo's, a lady approached me
on the street and said she had a really sweet deal on honey oil and
meth," said Birkmann.

Crystal methamphetamine is a highly addictive illegal drug with
intense stimulant with disinhibitory qualities; it can be snorted,
injected or smoked in a pipe. Side effects can include hallucinations
and paranoia for many days afterwards; some people become psychotic,
or start acting very bizarrely. And overuse is linked to short term
memory loss, wild mood swings, paranoia and damage to the immune system.

Honey oil is a particularly potent derivative of cannabis.

Birkmann said that the woman who offered him the drugs was part of the
'usual crowd' of people that loiter on Main Street and was drunk while
she attempted to make the sale.

"I told her right away, just wait here while I call the RCMP, they
might like to buy some drugs," he said. "Maybe she thought I was a
drug guy because I had my work clothes on."

The RCMP arrived shortly after Birkmann called and arrested the woman
along with the group of people that she was out with, according to
Birkmann all appeared to be intoxicated.

RCMP Cpl. Jack Gourlay from the Pincher Creek detachment said that the
RCMP had heard rumours about the drug in town, but was yet to
encounter it.

"We've suspected it, but we can't confirm it, there's no easy test for
it," he said on Tuesday. "It's worrisome, even a little bit, because
it is such a destructive drug."

Birkmann, who caught part of the incident on the video camera on his
cell phone, said that this was the first time that he had been offered
drugs in broad daylight on Main Street. He is worried that the
behaviour could become a trend, which could ruin the town's reputation.

"We need an operation clean-sweep," said Birkmann. He suggested that
first thing in the morning, each day, the RCMP should go out into the
town and remove the drunks and vagrants. He also said that Piikani
Nation should playing more of a role in helping to deal with the
problem. As to a permanent solution, Birkmann said the municipality's
and the RCMP's hands were tied and that change needs to occur at the
provincial level.

"The problem is we run a touristy town. This is destroying the
reputation of Pincher Creek," he said.