METH SCENE HITS LOW TIDE, BUT ENFORCEMENT BRACING FOR NEW WAVE

A year has passed since the Battle River Drug Response Task Force
brought the issue of crystal meth to the forefront in the region.

The narcotic, known as the "dirty drug" because of its toxic
ingredients and perilous effects, is presently not the force it was 10
months ago, according to law enforcement.

"It was ugly here six to eight months ago," commented Tofield RCMP
Sgt. Jim Warren.

"But we're at the low end of the cycle."

Camrose Police Service criminal investigation section members Det.
Lorne Blumhagen and Sgt. Greg Corbett also report a decrease on the
meth front. Although they have no statistical information to back
their claim, a decrease in meth related crimes in addition to their
own intelligence gathering supports their belief.

"We started to notice in some areas some decreases in overall crime
rates," said Det. Blumhagen.

"We're not back to what they were three or four years ago, but seeing
a decrease over the past 10 months in the majority of areas is a big
indicator in my mind."

Meth related offences usually include thefts, which police say, are
habit-supporting crimes.

According to Sgt. Corbett, Camrose has developed a reputation for
being too hot for dealers who come here from Edmonton to peddle their
junk.

"Basically word on the street is don't come down to Camrose. But
having said that, you still have methamphetamine use in Camrose and
you still have people obtaining it and how they obtain it is they're
going to the city (Edmonton)."

Sgt. Warren reports youth are telling him meth users in the area got
scared because some were caught and charged while others where "scared
straight."

But neither law enforcement agency is convinced the decrease is reason
for celebration.

"You're never going to stop the guy that's going to Edmonton to pick
it up," said Sgt. Corbett. "Obviously it's a drug that's very
profitable for organized crime groups or whomever.

"It's a very hard thing to nail down, but we're chipping
away."

Said Killam RCMP Sgt. Dwaine Skappak, "It's a real problem and one
that's not going to be easily controlled."

Sgt. Warren is equally pessimistic, given Tofield's proximity to
Edmonton, where law enforcement attributes an increase in city crime
rates last year to crystal meth.

"I don't live in Shangri-La. It's going to come back."