VIGILANCE NEEDED ON METH, POT, SAY SHELBURNE POLICE

In an effort to keep residents ever-vigilant, Shelburne Police
Service is hosting an information session on crystal meth and
marijuana grow houses. The event will be held April 26 at Grace
Tipling Hall, with a 7 p.m. start time.

"We haven't found any more [evidence of crystal meth in the
community], we just want to keep up the vigilance and make people who
aren't aware of it, aware that it has been found in the area," says
Sgt. Mark Bennett, media relations officer. "It will always be around
if we don't watch for it."

The session is designed to share information with the public about
the signs and symptoms of meth use, the inherent dangers in the
production of both meth and marijuana, and offer tips on how to
identify possible labs and grow houses in the community.

This is the second such session Shelburne police have organized since
a trace amount of crystal meth was first discovered on a spoon in the
high school parking lot last year. More than 100 people turned out
for the first event, held on the last day of school in June.

"We've had a number of people express interest that weren't able to
make it, so we thought it would be a good time to host a second one,"
Bennett says, noting there are also concerns regarding new trends in
the drug world.

"A lot of the ecstasy is being heavily laced with crystal meth. So
these kids try 'E' going out to the clubs -- and it is fairly
prevalent in Dufferin -- could inadvertently become hooked on meth,"
he says. "Any kind of drug can be laced with meth, and because it's
such a cash cow for dealers ... they will do everything in their
power to get you hooked."

The addiction rate for first-time meth users, Bennett explains, is
more than 90 per cent. With second use, addiction is almost guaranteed.

Last fall, Shelburne police and local businesses partnered under the
Meth Watch program, which sees business people trained about the
commonly available items used in the production of meth, as well as
suspicious behaviour to watch for. Anonymous tips are then provided
to police.

"The Meth Watch program is proving to be a big success. We've gotten
a number of tips that have proven not to be meth users, but it shows
that people are remaining vigilant and trying to keep it out of the
community," Bennett tells The Banner. "If we can work collectively,
that's how we'll be able to beat this scourge."

The April 26 information session is free of charge, but attendees are
encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for the food bank.

For more information, contact Shelburne police.