APPETITE FOR DEADLY POWDER 'ALARMING'

Winnipeg Is A Cocaine City, Says A Veteran Cop.

"The appetite for cocaine here is alarming," said Sgt. Danny Smyth of the
Drug Unit. "We're seeing it in all walks of life and in all parts of the city."

In 2002, the street value of the crack and cocaine confiscated by city
police was nearly $3 million, according to Drug Unit records.

"Cocaine and crack are really the drugs of choice here. It's a very
addictive high," Smyth said.

The way drug dealers operate is changing, Smyth said.

"The dial-a-dealers are getting bigger. The dealers are on wheels and are
prepared to travel to the user. Gone are the days when you'd see a dealer
standing on a street corner."

But the West End, and parts of the North End, are still plagued by crack
houses, he said.

"The crack houses cater to a lot of the street prostitutes. They're going
to set up in a place where the street prostitutes are setting up their trade."

Smyth said addicts usually get high by injecting cocaine or by smoking it.

"Smoking it is the quickest way to get it into your system, the way most
would do it."

The consequences of crack addiction are visible on street corners and in
hospitals around the city, Smyth said.

"It's not pleasant to see people go down that road," he said. "And we
certainly have overdoses in the city. It's not uncommon."

Smyth said cocaine has been growing in popularity in Winnipeg for about 15
years.