CRYSTAL METH PRODUCTION INCREASING

With the increase in Crystal Meth production in Alberta, Picture Butte
Cpl. Eric Mattinson said he has fielded an increasing number of calls
inquiring about drugs in the community.

"It's a major concern for us as RCMP."

The use of methanphademens is on the rise in Alberta and Mattinson
said the drug awareness meeting is open to the public. The goal of the
meeting is to get information out to the communities in the region.

Mattinson said in the last year RCMP have made several seizures of the
drug in the Picture Butte area.

"It's out there. We want to make the public aware it is a dangerous
substance."

The meeting is designed to help local residents learn how to recognize
the drug and other drugs that may be found in the area. He said police
also need local residents to give officers information on where the
drugs maybe in Picture Butte and other communities.

Mattinson said RCMP will also be taking drug awareness programs into
the local schools with local officers delivering the programs.

In addition to drug awareness Mattinson also has some local traffic
concerns. He said area residents in a number of communities including
Picture Butte, Shaughnessy and Nobleford are parking on the wrong side
of the street over night. Under the Highway Traffic Act this offense
carries a fine of $57.

"It's not just in Picture Butte, it's everywhere."

He said if the RCMP were to do a traffic blitz there would be a lot of
tickets issued. On a positive note warnings issued to local kids on
bike helmet use seems to be paying off.

"There has been a vast improvement," he said. "We're only trying to
prevent injuries and death."

Mattinson said everyone thinks it won't happen to them but it takes
only a split second for a tumble off a bike to cause serious head
injuries or death.