CRACK COCAINE USE ON THE RISE

Police Say Drug Use Leads To Other Crimes Such As Break And Enters

NORTHUMBERLAND - The increased use of of crack cocaine is just like
dropping a pebble in the pond, the ripple effects spread and are felt
throughout the community, explain local police.

"There is a spiral effect in the community, you think someone doing
drugs is just hurting themselves but it goes far beyond that," says
Cobourg Police Inspector Paul Sweet. "The effects are felt in areas of
social assistance, suicides and children suffering in those homes."

Port Hope Police Chief Ron Hoath reported, in his July 8 chief's
report at the Port Hope Police Services Board, that there has been a
significant rise in the use of drugs among youth and growth of crack
cocaine in the community.

"We know of five people actively selling crack cocaine in Port Hope,"
says Chief Hoath. "This is worrisome because crack cocaine can be so
addictive, some say a person can get addicted off of one hit."

Insp. Sweet says he has noticed in the last couple of years that the
recovery of crack cocaine during police investigations, "has ratcheted
up.

"We are coming across crack cocaine more often in our drug seizures,"
says Insp. Sweet. "Like any hard drug, users become very dependent on
it and try to get money to support the drug habit. We end up
responding to calls of break and enters, property damage and thefts
which all goes to money related to that (the drug habit)."

A June 20 traffic stop by Port Hope police resulted in $2,500 worth of
crack cocaine being recovered by police, noted Chief Hoath in his
report. Police came across a vehicle which had stopped because some
laundry had fallen out of it. When police asked the driver for his
documents, he opened his glove compartment and the officer saw a
number of plastic baggies containing crack cocaine packaged for street
sale. A 40-year-old Cobourg man was charged with possession for the
purpose of trafficking.

"People have to realize that crime like that is here," says Councillor
Jeff Lees, Port Hope Police Services Board chairman. "This is not a
sleepy little town anymore."

Chief Hoath also highlighted just a few instances which indicate that
police are starting to see more young people using drugs. On June 4, a
27-year-old man was arrested for selling drugs to students on Highland
Drive, across the road from the school. On June 8, three Port Hope
High School students were charged with smoking marijuana in the bushes
on the south side of Highland Drive. The students, two 18 year olds
and one 17 year old, were referred to Rebound Youth Services. On June
29 an 18 year old and a 15 year old were caught sitting on the banks
of the Ganaraska River rolling a marijuana cigarette.

"These drug dealers are targeting the students and young people," says
Chief Hoath.

Increasing messages about the perils of drugs, targeted at students
and young people, is something which needs to be done, notes Chief
Hoath.