TWO DRUG BUSTS WON'T STOP FLOW OF DRUGS: RCMP

CHARLOTTETOWN - Two major drug busts in the province in the past week may
slow down the influx of illegal drugs to the Island but they won't
completely stop people from trafficking, said Cpl. Ken Murray of the RCMP's
drug awareness section. RCMP, along with the Summerside police, arrested
33-year-old Karl Robert Kenny of Augustine Cove Friday after searching his
home and uncovering a marijuana home grow operation worth more than $75,000.

Police seized 250 plants along with a large sum of cash and grow equipment.

Kenny has been charged with cultivation of marijuana.

On Jan. 30, 10 kilos of hashish worth $250,000 were seized after a vehicle
was stopped and searched in Borden-Carleton.

Dale Hollet, 43, of Borden-Carleton, and Madonna LePage, 46, the passenger
in the car, were arrested and charged with possession of hashish for the
purpose of trafficking.

Murray said although these drug busts have been a positive step in the fight
against the movement of illegal drugs, it is only a small dent in the armour
of a much bigger problem.

"Unfortunately, a lot of time these networks continue and other people move
in and take over," Murray said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "It
certainly disrupts the supply for a certain period of time but there are
other avenues (in getting drugs)."

Murray said tips from the public, along with information gained through
various other avenues, could result in a succession of drugs busts in a
short period of time. But, he added, "you could go for six months and not
get enough information to do a search".

"In the meantime, there are drug networks still out there. There are a lot
that operate we are still not aware of. The ones we know about are the ones
that are taken down."

Murray said the number of marijuana grow operations in the province seem to
be increasing.

He added information on how to grow the illegal plant is readily available
making it easy for those wanting to get involved in the illegal operation.
"It is something that is not a secret."

The RCMP corporal said one of the most alarming things for police are the
results of the most recent student drug survey. Murray said the results
clearly indicate the use of marijuana by the province's youth is increasing,
which can only mean the drug is more readily available.

"We noticed an increase in the recent drug survey from 1998 to 2002. There
is a slight percentage increase in the number of students that have used
marijuana in the past year. Marijuana has moved to second place when it used
to be third. Tobacco has moved down to third."

Murray said school drug programs are teaching the Island's youth about the
dangers of using drugs but the message is still not getting out there of how
hazardous marijuana can be to one's health.

He said smoking one joint, according to medical professionals, is equal to
smoking 14 cigarettes. "Marijuana today is much stronger than the marijuana
available in the 1960s."

Murray said RCMP's number one mandate is enforcement of the law but
prevention of crime is just as important.

"We want to work with the community, parents and schools to give information
to the kids who ultimately have to make that choice (whether or not to use
drugs). In schools, we are trying to get students to take a leadership role
and take ownership of their schools. The drug users in the schools are the
minority. Students don't want the drugs there. Through Student Crime
Stoppers, we try to get that message across."

Murray said the possibility of the nation's legislators allowing the legal
use of marijuana, even if it is for medicinal purposes, is disturbing.

"We are bound by the laws of Canada. If it is not illegal, we will deal with
is the same as we deal with alcohol. I would hope they would never legalize
it. We are policemen, but we are parents and grandparents, too. Do I want my
children smoking marijuana? No, I don't."

He said the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has been vocal in its
opposition to legalizing marijuana voicing these opinions at various
Parliamentary committee meetings.

Murray said 80 to 90 per cent of police work in the province involves
substance abuse, a statistic he is saddened to repeat.

"It is alarming to think that those things can be prevented," he said,
adding people are stealing to support drug habits and many assaults occur
because the offender is using.

He said drug use not only effects the user but those around them.

"Chances are that one person that is addicted effects four people around
them. We see it everyday. The suicides, depression and mental illness. The
bigger issue is society and trying to get the drugs off the street."