LESS METH ON OCEANSIDE STREETS: RCMP

There seems to be less crystal methamphetamine on the streets of
Oceanside -but while its good news, the police aren't sure it's a
permanent change.

"We don't know if this is temporary," says Corporal Garry Cox about
word coming to them of the drug being less available.

The information has been largely passed through the Oceanside
Community Crystal Meth Task Force - whose chair Kevin Wilson says
outreach workers are reporting a drop in the highly-addictive substance.

"It's nice to be able to hear," says Cox, adding it's still something
police want to be cautious of celebrating.

"That could result from any scenario," he says - acknowledging the
OCCMTF's efforts as one possible influence.

It could, Cox continues, also be something like a particular dealer
moving on, or a lab where the drug is produced closing down.

Either way, Wilson says part of what's bringing the drug down is a
greater awareness by the community -both in watching out for drug
activity, and by youth who are avoiding it.

The OCCMTF is releasing their final report from the initial plan
today at the SOS Child, Youth and Family Centre. The open house will
run from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and will show what the group has done to
date, before the larger organization is replaced with a smaller
committee to keep programs ongoing.