CRIME STATS POSE CAUSE FOR CONCERN

It is no secret Taber is fighting a growing battle with drugs.

Now, statistics from the Taber Police Service from 2004 serve as a
tangible way to measure the increase in suspected drug use in Taber.

Statistics presented recently by chief Terry Dreaddy to the police
commission show more time than even is being spent by officers dealing
with drug issues.

As of November, police had dealt with 140 drug-related cases, up from
105 in 2003 and 58 in 1999.

Yes, there likely is a bigger focus on cracking down on drugs as we
head into 2005, but the numbers do show a likely steady increase in
drug activity in Taber over the last five years.

Increased enforcement, a larger focus on drugs by the police and the
formation of a special task force (TCAD) to battle drugs in Taber are
positive steps being taken to combat the problem.

However, there remains much work to be done if Taber is serious about
dealing with drugs in the community.

As Dreaddy pointed out in his report to the police commission, drugs
often lead to an increase in a variety of other types of crimes locally.

A look at the statistics shows a rise in most types of crime in Taber
when looking at 2004 compared to 2003.

Are they all a direct result of more drug use in town? Maybe not, but
the numbers should be viewed a little more than purely coincidental.