DRUG OFFENCES, USE CONTINUING ISSUE IN AREA

Meadow Lake Progress - Saskatchewan now has a new claim to fame: the
province with the second highest amount of drug charges. It was reported
last week by Statistics Canada that drug charges across the country were up
42 per cent in 2002 over the early 1990s and up 97 per cent in Saskatchewan.

Drugs have been a problem in the Meadow Lake area, and Monday there were
three individuals before the provincial court judge on trafficking charges.

According to the Statistics Canada report there is also a link between
using alcohol and drugs and committing other crimes, a fact that Cst. Pat
Campbell recognizes.

"If someone's addicted and they don't have a way to support their habit
then they'll do break and enter and find property to sell or trade," said
Campbell.

She notes that it's hard for the RCMP to try and clean up the drug scene
because "the supply seems to be there."

Alcohol and drug counselor Murray Potter has been helping clients for seven
years. Most of the people he sees have a problem with alcohol.

"You get new things that hit the market. The primary thing we see is
alcohol. It continues to be. The other one is marijuana," said Potter, who
notes that cocaine and morphine use are also becoming common.

Users of drugs such as prescriptions, morphine or cocaine hit bottom and
are able to admit their addiction said Potter, whereas marijuana users are
less likely to admit having a problem. As well, people who have drug
problems openly admit to Potter that they' re willing to do anything to get
their next high.

"The values and morals and your belief systems disappear," said Potter.
"With drug addicts they're willing to go an extra mile because they want
that drug."

Much of the increase in drug charges come from possession of marijuana, an
offence that the federal government has been looking at easing the
penalties by making it a ticket offence rather than a criminal code matter.