ILLEGAL DRUG USE POSES SIGNIFICANT DANGER; POLICE

Rumours have spread in Taber concerning a number of cases of
rohypnol-related hospitalizations over Cornfest weekend.

More commonly known as roofies, the substance has long been known as a
date-rape drug, but it can also be used for those looking for a quick,
profound feeling of intoxication.

Insp. Graham Abela of the Taber Police Service said the department did
deal with one drug-related matter, but could not speak to how many
others were sent to hospital with a similar condition.

"We only responded to one call of a person we believed was suffering
from a possible drug overdose, but we believe it was GHB."

GHB (gamma-hyroxybutyric acid), can have the same impact as rohypnol,
he added.

"Unfortunately, it (GHB) is an euphoric drug that does have some
amnesiac quality to it. It is also used by predators and is considered
a date-rape drug."

Abela added rohypnol is a very difficult substance to obtain, and went
on to say that who manufactures it, may not even be doing so any more.
He said that leads police to believe any reported cases of roofie use
in Taber were likely GHB instead.

But whatever the substance, Abela cautioned those out there who may be
looking to use these types of drugs on themselves, that significant
dangers are present.

"We've aware ecstasy is in the community, and ecstasy can be very
dangerous. People need to be careful when they take these substances --
they're illegal for a reason."

What was particularly concerning to Abela was the possibility of
people using ecstasy during the Cornfest weekend, which was one of the
hotter three-day stretches southern Alberta has received this year.

"Ecstasy raises your body temperature. Put that into 30-degree
weather, and it creates a situation that could be fatal."

As for the entire Cornfest weekend from a police perspective, Abela
commented it was a busy one for police, but nothing the department
couldn't handle.

"We were constant. We had a dozen people in custody on the weekend at
different times."