POLICE DRUG WORK WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT IN CITY

It's difficult not to be impressed by the work of Niagara Regional Police
officers in Niagara Falls in their continuing war on drugs. One hundred
people have been arrested in 107 days as officers in this city have made
the drug problem a priority.

The operation has been targeting street-level dealers and officers have
confiscated ecstasy pills and other drugs, a pound-and-half of cocaine,
marijuana with a street value of more than $750,000 and a host of other
illegal stuff including guns, knives and brass knuckles.

What has been eye-opening is the wide range in age of those who have been
charged, from teenagers to senior citizens - all who have turned to
peddling drugs to supplement their incomes.

How tragic.

Detective Sgt. Craig Coates, a 27-year police veteran who spearheaded the
effort, realizes the depth of the problem. It's driven by greed - drug
dealers getting rich off the backs of those who are addicted, and the
bigger players getting rich by distributing to the smaller players.

Perhaps more important was his realization that a vast majority of armed
robberies at convenience stores and gas stations are committed by drug
addicts trying to get money for the next fix.

It puts the lives and livelihoods of many innocent people in danger.

The war on small drug dealers is one that should - and must - continue.
There's a lot at stake.

It might even help authorities in making inroads against the bigger players
in the drug trade to bring them to justice.

Coates acknowledges the recent crackdown has perhaps only made a dent in
the drug problem in Niagara Falls.

That may be true. But at least, it has made a difference.

And that matters to everyone.