DRUGS, TOPIC OF COP MEETING

Members of the Community Oriented Policing committee left the March meeting
a bit wiser about street drugs and how they affect young people and
communities.

OPP Sr. Const. Don Shropshall and Const. Dave Gillan presented displays of
drugs and paraphernalia and answered questions from adults looking for ways
to better understand a problem most children will face. Gillan passed
around some marijuana leaves for the group to see and smell while
explaining about "grow houses", propagation and THC levels. THC (Delta-9
Tetra Hydro Cannabinol) is the oil or resin that forms on the leaves of the
plant. The level of the oil can range anywhere from 14 - 29 per cent with
the higher number being the better quality.

Staff Sgt. Ray Massicott of the Waterloo Regional Police Drug Unit explains
that although marijuana is "dangerous enough in and of itself" large
amounts of pesticides and insecticides are used to control infestations of
spider mites which are attracted to the sticky resin on the leaves. "These
chemicals are not rinsed away," Sgt. Massicott stated in a telephone
interview, "and on the streets here (in Waterloo Region) they are calling
this stuff Echemo."

He stressed the seriousness of people not knowing the purity or the source
of the drugs they are purchasing. "Drugs like speed (methamphetamines) and
ecstacy are often produced in homemade labs. Our undercover officers
purchased what they were told was ecstasy but the analysis showed the pills
contained Viagra and horse tranquilizers."

Gillan said that due to the risks involved, police must call Health Canada
rather than enter the suspected labs themselves. Rohypnol the "date rape
drug" and ecstasy are referred to as "club drugs" as these are most common
at raves, concerts and clubs. Ecstasy or "E" is more of a stimulant
increasing heart rate and giving an overall sense of euphoria. Shropshall
explained that E, which can also be snorted, can be purchased for anywhere
from $10 - $20 a tab, producing a high that lasts about a day. He estimated
that approximately 30 per cent of high school students have been approached
to try ecstasy. "It will probably not be adults selling to your kids. Most
kids today are approached by their peers, using tactics like 'I'll let you
try it for free' or 'So and so tried it and nothing bad happened to him'."

Rohypnol or roofies is a depressant, causing temporary memory loss and
unconsciousness. It is not easily traced after ingestion, making it an
ideal weapon in rape. Gillan explained that this drug can be crushed and
slipped into pop, bottled water or alcoholic beverages undetected.

Signs which might tip parents off to drug use Shropshall said are: money
going fast or disappearing from around the house, a change in habits such
as not coming home at expected times or a newly-developed, very mellow,
laid-back state.

Finally, Shropshall explained that the child's dirty laundry will have a
"skunk-like stink" to it because of smoking marijuana.

Shropshall said that in his experience, the best age group to speak to
about drugs was Grades 6-8. "It seems a bit easier to get the message
across to these kids before they get to high school."

Massicott strongly suggests to parents "Talk, talk, talk. If your kids say
drugs are no worse than alcohol, you say "Alright then, do the research and
show me".

The April 16 COP meeting, being held in Brussels at 7:30 p.m., will focus
on protecting home, farm and business from theft. Engravers will be
available that evening.