COULD DRUGS TAKE OVER?

I've written several columns in the past few years about my dismay at
the number of drug abuse arrests I see in the City Police log book.

Well, I'm here to tell you that things haven't gotten any better as
the economy has deteriorated. In fact, things are taking a noticeable
turn for the worse.

Recent examples in the Gem City include foolhardy addicts brazenly
breaking into drug stores to steal cough medicine for codeine; stories
of those looking for drugs traveling to Toronto; addicts pulled over
on typical traffic stops and police finding hard drugs, including
heroin, in the vehicle; a makeshift meth lab right outside the city;
and child abuse directly related to parents who are drug users.

And those are just the people who have been caught and reported on by
local media. For every person who is arrested on a drug charge, there
are 10 more people out there causing havoc with their abuse who
haven't been caught.

People, I'm telling you - it's bad.

You would think that most drug abusers are going to be young people,
and that might be the truth to some extent, but there also are arrests
of people in their 30s and 40s, people who should know better, all
over the log book. In some cases, it's dads, moms and their kids in a
warped "family tradition," abusing narcotics.

I know I'm preaching to the choir to some extent here because it's my
belief most drug addicts don't read the paper or for that matter do
much of anything constructive. But I wish I could grab some of these
people by the collar and ask them why the hell they are so nihilistic
with their lives, the lives of their loved ones and those who depend
on them.

If you live here in Toronto and you aren't alarmed at this trend, God
knows you should be. And sooner or later, someone else's abuse will
affect you at some point, either through crimes related to drug abuse,
an overdose or neglect of a child.

Another alarming trend is the lack of options for those who do become
addicts for serious treatment. As dollars are becoming more scarce, so
are outlets for those who do want to clean up their act and get help.
Several local agencies that used to assist recovering addicts have
closed their doors due to lack of funds. That spells even more trouble.

I can't say I really understand why someone would become an addict,
but it obviously begins with a lack of education and poor self-image.
I don't really believe most of these people really want to become
addicted and cause all the harm they do. The lack of self-esteem among
addicts must be a powerful force.

But I'm also feeling rather powerless myself to help those who are
truly sincere about recovery. It seems the only option that's left now
is to assist law enforcement as much as possible to rid our city of
drug abusers and dealers. I'm vowing as a citizen to help the police
rid us of this menace.

I ask readers to do the same. If you suspect drug activity, make law
enforcement aware of it. Remember, the police can't arrest someone on
the basis of someone's suspicions. It takes a lot of time and
investigation to make a solid arrest and conviction, so be patient
with the process. Be diligent.

Don't give up letting the police know if you see suspicious activity
on a repeated basis. And the police will take a citizen seriously, but
arrests don't always happen right away.

Those who suspect drug-related illegal activity should call the
Toronto Police at (740) 537-1591.

It's time for the good, law-abiding citizens of Toronto to begin to
take back our city.