DRUG CHARGES GROWING

But this high is nothing but a downer for RCMP and anti-drug supporters.

The increase can be attributed to many different factors, none of which can
be pinpointed as the exact cause. Whether it is an increase in the number
of drugs in the Mountain View area, or to a crack-down by RCMP, the number
of drug-related charges are going up.

"This year, so far, we are heading to a record number again," said Bob
Phillips of the Olds RCMP division.

The RCMP, including Sundre, Olds and Didsbury, have laid a total of 124
charges for 2002. That is up 33 per cent from 2001.

RCMP have already laid 49 drug-related charges for the first quarter,
January to April, of 2003.

"There's a few things that attribute to that. In my opinion, one reason
certainly is the acceptance from society in general of the use of
marijuana," said Const. Chris Reister of the Didsbury RCMP.

"Drugs are everywhere. The more society accepts it, the more people are
going to do it."

With the decriminalization of marijuana just around the corner, the drug
problem won't get be getting any better, Reister said.

"In my view, it's (decriminalization) a very poor move, not a very
responsible move," he said. "Simply because we have no roadside screening
and no way to determine if someone is driving under the influence of
marijuana, other than taking blood, which is very difficult."

The bill to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana had its first reading
in parliament last week, and is working its way through the legislative
process.

"In my opinion, the argument always comes up that alcohol is legal and it
is an evil drug, however, it doesn't mean we should legalize marijuana or
decriminalize it. Just because we've got one bad thing out there doesn't
mean we should have two," Reister said.

While not wearing your seatbelt will get you a fine of $150, and a minor,
under the age of 18, who is caught smoking a cigarette will get a fine of
$100, under the new deregulation a minor would receive a $150 fine for
possession of marijuana under 30 grams.

While police have cracked down on drug investigations, Reister says drugs
are "a very lucrative, profitable business, which also makes it attractive."

He also said many of the grow operations that are coming into small towns
in this area, have ties to larger operations in the bigger cities and often
to organized crime.

Police have also found a direct relation with drug increases to property
offenses.

"Some cocaine addiction can cost approximately $125 per day and most people
can't pay for it, so they have to find other means of paying for their
habits," Reister said.

Even though many of Reister's drug investigations have involved adults as
the accused, he said responsible, knowledgeable parents will play a key
role in helping to douse the increase in drug offenses.