HAT POLICE LAUNCH DRUG TIP LINE

Drugs are on the line as the Medicine Hat Police Service gets better
connected in the fight against narcotics.

A Drug Tip Line, launched on Friday, will be available 24 hours a day at
502-8902 to take drug-related calls.

"Tip lines have worked well in this community in the past," said Const.
Dellrae Sharpe. "Since we recognize that drugs are an issue in this
community this is one of the ways we feel will help to combat that issue."

The phone line is intended to allow people to contact the police directly
and provide confidential information on drug activity, known drug users and
dealers, addresses, descriptions of vehicles, quantity and types of drugs.

While the Drug Tip Line is separate from Crime Stoppers, callers will still
be eligible for cash rewards for drug information.

"Unlike Crime Stoppers, where civilians answer the calls and pass on the
information to police, our Drug Tip Line will allow callers to speak
directly to an officer."

Sharpe said the police service is trying out the phone line to see how
effective it can be. The service has even temporarily moved two officers to
the drug enforcement section of the police department.