DRUG BATTLE HEATS UP

Get Lost.

That's the simple message Sarnia police are sending to city drug
dealers as they ramp up a battle against drugs, especially the spread
of illegal prescription painkillers.

Police executed their 36th drug search warrant of the year Wednesday,
seizing almost $7,000 in cash, a quantity of oxycodone, hydromorphine
and a replica hand gun.

The officers also encountered pitbulls, a bullmastif and rottweiler
at the Hanna Crescent address, said Staff Sgt. Doug Warn.

"It's just getting out of control. We're here to deal with these
people and make sure our community is a better place. These people do
not care."

Drug dealers keep vicious dogs to slow officers trying to enter a
house, creating a delay to dispose of drugs or arm themselves, Warn said.

While officers were contending with the dogs in Wednesday's bust a
suspect fled on foot. An officer pursued and a citizen driving by the
scene stopped to give the officer a ride. When they caught up to the
suspect the officer was able to make an arrest.

"That just confirms what we already believe. Citizens are concerned
with this as well and support the police. They want to help in any
way they can, and they do," Warn said.

The service has also made 13 major drug busts related to vehicle
stops on Sarnia streets this year. Drugs are contributing to an
overall increase in crime in Sarnia, he said.

"It spins off into break and enters, robberies, into home invasions.
It really does account for a lot of crime."

Prescription painkillers are also impacting local high schools.

"We're finding a lot of teenagers are hooked and it's just destroying
them," he said.

Sarnia police have a message for drug dealers, Warn added.

"We just want to get this out there and tell these guys to get lost."