COUNTY RCMP OFFICERS DEAL WITH METH DIFFICULTIES

Meth is not only a Wetaskiwin problem. The drug is seeping into the county
as well.

Thorsby and Breton RCMP officers Cpl. Neil Pearson and Cpl. Mike Ferguson
told County of Wetaskiwin councillors what the future might hold for the
municipality.

"We do a lot of enforcement and work hand-in-hand with the County
constables. We go where we need to be," said Pearson.

Pearson also asked if the County expects to have an increase in population
in the Pigeon Lake area.

"I have heard there will be a population rise in the area," said Pearson.

Pearson said Thorsby's detachment is taxed and hoped there would be an
increase in manpower -- especially in the summer months when the population
surrounding Pigeon Lake swells.

He also mentioned he had heard rumours that land had been purchased for a
detachment on the lake.

One issue both detachments have is the rising use of methamphetamines.

"We end up with a lot of outside issues like meth. Meth is an issue from
the City (of Edmonton), but criminals are more mobile and are coming
further out of the City," said Pearson.

"Methamphetamines are a bad drug. It's easy to get and easy to make and is
a cheap high and we're seeing an increase in thefts because of it."

The same methamphetamine issue is also plaguing the Breton detachment,
Ferguson has found.

Among other issues for Ferguson, was still the theft of livestock as well
as the fact that Samson band-owned land within Wetaskiwin County is being
sold off.