DRUG WAR BEING FOUGHT IN VERNON

The war on drugs is keeping Vernon RCMP officers extremely busy.

Enforcement of the illicit drug trade climbed 31 per cent between 2000 and
2001, and officials say that is putting a strain on manpower.

"The investigations are usually long, arduous and costly. But to get the
product off the street, it's worth it," said Insp. Randy Kolibaba, with the
Vernon RCMP detachment.

"How do we put a price on the security of people, especially children?"

Last year, the detachment seized $3.5 million worth of marijuana from grow
operations while $100,000 of marijuana was confiscated on the street.

Also seized was $100,000 worth of hard drugs.

The detachment's activities come at the same time that the number of grow
operations in B.C. climb.

A study by the University College of the Fraser Valley and the
International Centre for Criminal Law Reform indicated that 8,010 known
cases were identified within 149 jurisdictions in B.C. from 1997 to 2000.
The bulk of the cultivation was in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island
region.

"Generally speaking, marijuana growing operations coming to the attention
of the police are increasing in number by an average of 36 per cent per
year, increasing in average size at a rate of 40 per cent a year," stated
the report authors.

Between 1997 and 2000, the value of the marijuana seized in B.C. was
between $462 million and $1.25 billion.

"Vernon is not one of the worst areas in the province but it is present in
Vernon," said Kolibaba.

He added that while the RCMP are constantly shutting down grow-ops, there
are many more out there they aren't aware of.

"This is a societal problem and we need community involvement. If you see
something unusual give us a call."

It's believed that most grow-ops are located in rental accommodations, and
the property is susceptible to seizure under proceeds of crime laws.

According to Kolibaba, while some operations are run by local individuals,
there is a strong organized crime presence in the drug trade.

Kolibaba believes public tips about grow-ops have had a tremendous
influence in closing operations down, as has spreading the message about
drugs with children.

"We have to get into schools and educate kids and parents.

"That's helped us and we will see a positive impact when these young people
grow up."

However, as upbeat as Kolibaba is about the actions of his officers, he is
reluctant to declare victory in the war against drugs.

"We are making positive steps to address the issue but until we remove the
drugs, we can't say we've won," he said.