RCMP POLICY HELPFUL TO CRACK DEALERS IN N.W.T.

The premier of the Northwest Territories says it is "unbelievable" that RCMP
officers stand by while drug dealers openly sell crack cocaine in public in
the territorial capital city.

"I just find it unbelievable that I can go down the street and tell you who
the dealers are and have nothing done about it, and see the RCMP drive right
past them," Premier Joe Handley says.

"There's more interest among the Yellowknife drug squad in getting the big
guy in Vancouver than in our local drug pushers."

RCMP, who serve as the local police force, say they must follow a "mandate,"
set by headquarters in Ottawa, that requires they go after only major
traffickers and dealers. Those in Yellowknife aren't nationally important
enough to merit the federal force's attention.

The N.W.T.'s crime rate at six times the national average is rising, fuelled
by drug activity, while violent and property crimes drop in the rest of
Canada, RCMP statistics show.