Drug Trade

FROM USERS TO TRAFFICKERS - EYES NEED TO BE OPENED

In Whitecourt, across Alberta and this country, the drug trade is
everywhere and it can affect every aspect of society.

From property crime to school issues, drugs are present.

"A lot of school issues boil down to a drug problem," Cst. Charlotte Peters
explains, such as bullying.

Cpl. Pat Casey agrees and says people need to be more aware.

"I think people would be naive to think there are no drugs in schools," he
says. "Every school is plugged with it."

He adds that drugs are a problem whether its one kid that is selling or if
there are 10 kids pushing.

Over the past year,the Whitecourt RCMP have been targeting drug dealers and
users.

"We've made some pretty decent seizures," says Peters, as they executed 25
search warrants in 2001, seizing marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine
(speed).

However, their crack down on the narcotic business is far from over.

"We still currently have people under investigation."

She says a majority of drugs coming to Whitecourt are brought in from Edmonton.

"Meth (speed) is a very popular drug here," she adds. "One year ago it was
running rampant -- we've now cracked down and are starting to control the
problem."

Peters says speed is a very dangerous substances that can be purchased in
various forms, such as a pill, powder, it looks similar to cocaine, comes
in different colours and people can make it at home.

"It's a very volatile chemical process."

Methamphetamine is generally smoked, although it can be injected which is
the most dangerous way to use speed. Peters says users have been known to
put it in coffee and snort it in a line, similar to cocaine. She says one
of the reasons why methamphetamine is so popular with young school age
girls is because major weight loss is one of its side affects.

"Its highly addictive and harder than heroin to get off of it," Peters
explains. "When you come off, you can feel the affects for up to four decades."

However, she says the general drug of choice in schools is marijuana.

The drug trade and stolen property tend to go hand-in-hand. Cpl Pat Casey
says they've found stolen property while executing the search warrants.

Peters says drug users will steal items to trade or pawn to get what they want.

"Property crime is generally related to drugs," she explains.

In the fight against drugs, Peters says enforcement isn't the only key.

"Education is very important," she adds, whether it's in the schools and/or
at home.

Peters says they've received good community support in their initiatives to
combat the drug trade.

"Once the community starts seeing results, people are more forth coming
with information."