VIOLENCE LEVELS INCREASING

Drugs Everywhere, Violence Increasing?

Recent violence in connection to drug activity has been hitting the South
Okanagan with disturbing frequency over the past few months.

"We're definitely seeing an increase in violence as drug users are
resorting to extreme measures to obtain their drugs," said South Okanagan
RCMP Staff Sergeant Walt Makepeace.

Methamphetamine, cocaine and crack are becoming the drugs of choice among
users and dealers, and these highly addictive chemicals often lead users to
increasingly violent and paranoid behaviour.

"Drugs are everywhere, but the violence that has come out in the last
months is the frightening part. It has really impacted not only the young
men who were killed, but their families and friends, and it's ongoing."

Makepeace described yet another person who was stopped in Osoyoos last
Thursday morning for trafficking drugs and noted the woman had a loaded
handgun in her purse.

"We asked her why [she had a gun] and she said it was because of the
shooting in Oliver. Even drug dealers are getting robbed and they feel like
they need protection, too," Makepeace explained."

"It's only escalating and we need to get a handle on it before anyone else
is killed.

"Along with pushing drugs come the intimidation and violence. Most of the
violent activities going on in Osoyoos are drug and alcohol related. Much
of the extreme violence has to do with the cocaine and crack trade, and a
lot of this is about turf wars."

Makepeace said that in order to get a handle on the problem, the answer
lies beyond enforcement.

He said communities - native and non-native - need to work together to
resolve the problem.

"The community has to become involved and step up to the plate and assist
the police. We can't do it all by ourselves. We've got to have information
from the public.

"When they know about drug activity happening they've got to let us know.
When they know of violence associated with this drug activity, we have to know.

"People have to stand up and be counted. They have to say they won't stand
for any more of this in our community," Makepeace said.