CITY DRUG CHARGES INCREASE

A continued crackdown on the drug trade in Red Deer is yielding results,
say RCMP.

Drug offences have increased by 110 per cent year to date over last year,
the Red Deer Policing Committee heard during its meeting Tuesday evening.

There were 503 drug offenses under investigation by the end of June
compared to 239 during the same period in 2003.

Red Deer RCMP Insp. Peter Calvert said the increase doesn't necessarily
mean the drug trade is increasing in the city.

Instead, he suggested the increased numbers are because police have
increased enforcement.

With continued vigilance on the enforcement side, Calvert said criminals
may get the message.

"They're finding out it's not good to do that kind of business here,"
Calvert said.

He's hoping drug offences will hit a plateau.

But whether the city will ever fully close the door on the drug trade,
Insp. Peter Calvert said he wasn't sure.

"If that day will come I don't know," said Calvert.