DRUGS SEIZED

Police Lay Charges After Intercepting Ecstasy, Cocaine, Marijuana

The largest ecstasy bust in Newfoundland and Labrador's history went
down on the Northern Peninsula.

As of last Thursday, eight people had been arrested in Port Saunders,
Hawkes Bay and St. Paul's. They face charges under the Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act for trafficking in cocaine, possession of
ecstasy for the purpose of trafficking and possession of cocaine for
the purpose of trafficking.

The RCMP seized 15,000 ecstasy tablets, three kg of cocaine and five
and a half lb. of marijuana. The estimated street value of the illicit
drugs seized is $600,000.

According to RCMP Staff Sgt. George Noseworthy, more charges are
pending.

"We know ecstasy is being used, but obviously the problem is more
widespread than what we even considered," he told the Pen. "The
cocaine and the marijuana have ready markets in adults, but the
ecstasy was meant for the younger people."

Since the investigation is ongoing, Staff Sgt. Noseworthy wasn't able
to release any details of the investigation leading to the arrests,
other than to say that it "went down over the last couple of weeks."

He explained that the drugs were brought into the province for
distribution and would have ended up in many Northern Peninsula
communities.

"Just the quantity of the drugs seized certainly will put a dent into
the active trafficking, it would have to. But people have to be aware
of this stuff being in their communities - they need to partner with
police to stop this because it will destroy the places that they love.
These drugs, if used over a period of time, will destroy the fabric of
these rural communities. What comes from these drugs is hard crimes,
armed robberies and more domestic disputes."

While many parents have heard about cocaine and marijuana, ecstasy is
a newer drug.

Also known as MDMA, ecstasy is a stimulant that, according to
Wikipedia, produces a relaxed, euphoric sensation by directly
affecting the serotonin receptors in the nervous system.

"The main thing here is it has the properties of a stimulant, it is a
potent thing," said David Sparkes, a mental health and addictions
counsellor in Port Saunders.

"People take it for enjoyment - much like some kids use beer to reduce
their inhibitions. But this is very risky."

He explained that as an unregulated drug, the potency of ecstasy and
what it's made from can vary, citing as an example the death of a
14-year-old Edmonton girl two weeks ago who took ecstasy pills not
knowing they were three times the usual strength. Two friends of the
girl had to be hospitalized, but survived.

"If you buy something in a supermarket you know it's passed
inspection, is regulated and there are certain ingredients," stated
Mr. Sparkes, who works with Western Health. "With these things there's
lack of control of what the contents are."

His message for worried parents is that the best way to protect their
children is by talking to them.

"The world is changing so much. Research shows teenagers who feel they
have a good relationship with their families are more likely to
discuss things and work things out. When kids feel they can talk to
mom and dad about anything, then that's a big thing."