DRUG CRIMES KEEP POLICE BUSY

Cocaine and marijuana-related crime is keeping Campbell River police busy,
according to RCMP statistics for this past summer.

"Our statistical information clearly indicates that our drug investigators
are extremely busy," said Insp. Larry Stright in his quarterly report to
council.

"We are continually receiving complaints from the public concerning
neighborhood drug houses. Even though our statistics indicate that our
investigators are making a valiant effort to address these problems, many
citizens' complaints remain in queue for lengthy periods of time due to a
lack of available resources."

Cocaine and marijuana dealers have been high on police hit lists during
this past summer, from July-September, police laid 128 per cent more
charges for cocaine trafficking and 231 per cent more charges for marijuana
trafficking than last year.

Overall, reported drug offences increased by 70 per cent over last year.
However, Stright said the statistics don't necessarily mean Campbell
River's drug problem is getting worse.