MAIN ST. PROBLEM

Halton Regional Police's announcement last Thursday that 22 people had
been charged in a Halton Hills-wide drug sweep should be a wake-up
call to every resident that drugs ARE a real problem in this
municipality.

Project "Main Street" was initiated because of complaints from
citizens, along with Halton Hills Criminal Investigations Bureau
detectives noticing an increase in crimes associated with drug use.

Police seized $49,000 in drugs, six vehicles, a replica firearm and
several prohibited weapons.

Drugs seized included marijuana, crack cocaine, cocaine, ecstasy,
MDMA, amphetamines and various prescription drugs.

Police executed eight search warrants, during which one cannabis resin
extraction lab and marijuana grow operation were dismantled.

No community, no matter how small, is immune to the scourge of illegal
drug use. If you believe illegal drug use is something that only
happens in "big cities" you are living with your head in the sand.

Drug use isn't limited to the shabbily-dressed punk kid down the
street. As these arrests show, alleged drug use was not limited to a
particular age group or demographic.

That is why it is incumbent upon each and every citizen to report to
the police any suspicions you may have about someone using or selling
illegal drugs.

The use of illegal drugs is bad enough, but it also leads to an
increase in various other criminal activity.

We will never be completely rid of drug use in our community, but with
civilian vigilance and proactive action by our local police service,
perhaps it is possible to ensure this blight on society doesn't worsen.