INCREASE IN DRUG ACTIVITY HAS RCMP ON ALERT

Okotoks has not become a haven for drug traffickers despite recent
highly publicized incidents involving the illegal trade, say Okotoks
RCMP members.

Cst. Geoff Carpenter said although Okotoks is a short distance from
Calgary and has a reputation as a high-income community, large numbers
of drug traffickers are not coming to the town.

"The people we have noticed who are involved in a lot of these issues,
whether it be a grow-op (operation) or trafficking or other crimes, it
is for the most part local people. They are getting caught up in it
and one thing is leading to another," he said.

Last month, RCMP uncovered a large marijuana grow operation in town
and issued a warning to residents about an increase in thefts from
vehicles, which it believes is connected to drug use in the community.
Local police are also investigating a recent shooting and its
potential links to the drug trade.

"Sometimes traffickers don't like people being in their turf area, but
whether that is totally related to the shooting the other day, I can't
say for sure," Carpenter said. "What we do know is that no community
is immune to these things."

Carpenter does not feel Okotoks has a major problem when it comes to
drugs, however, he said the number of crimes committed in the
community is directly linked to substance abuse. Of the crimes
reported, Carpenter predicts roughly 80 per cent are committed by a
person who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"I don't think we are any different from any other community and
certainly we have seen the side effects. If people have a habit and
need money, they are going to do whatever they can to get money," he
added.

Staff Sgt. Glen Haner said although the RCMP has seen a rise in
drug-related crimes, the situation could get a lot worse if crystal
meth hits the streets in Okotoks.

"Crystal meth is one of our biggest concerns at the moment because if
it infiltrates our area, it is going to be really tough to eradicate.
It is so addictive and very easy to make," Haner said.

Carpenter, a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instructor, said
he has seen first-hand what crystal meth can do to a small community.
In 1995, he witnessed a meth outbreak involving six young people in
High River.

"Luckily for us, the main source of it departed the area and the
people survived that period," he said. "But, it had tremendous and
disastrous effects on them as far as physical and mental issues that
took them years to overcome."

Today, the most commonly used drugs in Okotoks are alcohol and
marijuana despite a slight increase in harder drugs like cocaine. This
information may be of some comfort to parents who smoked pot in the
1970s, but it is not the same drug today, said Carpenter.

The level of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, is five times
higher today than it was in the 1970s, he said. "People think it's not
a big deal because it is just marijuana, but it has disastrous
effects. It hinders a person's ability to operate machinery, affects
their day-to-day life and is worse on their health than smoking
cigarettes," Carpenter added.

Parents, concerned their children may be taking drugs, need to be on
the lookout for any sudden changes in attitude, friends, clothing and
activities. For further information parents can call Cst. Geoff
Carpenter at 938-7046.