POLICE ON LOOKOUT FOR DRUG TRENDS

Crystal meth has yet to establish a toe-hold in Fredericton, says
Fredericton police Chief Barry MacKnight.

But the force is ready just in case.

"Crystal meth -- we're not seeing it," MacKnight said. "Crystal meth
seems to have crested to a large degree in Ontario and, I think,
they see some in Quebec. We have the odd little pockets here and there."

The bitter-tasting, synthetically produced crystalline powder, or
"meth," can be taken through the nose, injected, smoked or dissolved
in a glass of water. It's designed to stimulate the heart, increase
breathing and keep the user awake.

MacKnight said the Fredericton Police Force has the framework of a
strategy in place to deal with it.

"That's just simply that our drug people, our
criminal investigations people, are very plugged into this
and watching what they're seizing and are seeing and hearing what
is happening."

The police chief said the force has three officers dedicated full
time to drug investigations.

"The drug people may be working on joint forces operations,"
MacKnight said. "They may be in the city; they may be outside the city."

While there are also community crime officers assigned to the newly
activated neighbourhood action teams -- who do some work on drug
crime investigations -- MacKnight said the force needs more than
three officers to work full time on fighting drug-related crimes.

"We need a couple more officers to put in the drug section and we
have articulated our concerns to council and (they) have been very
supportive of this as part of our five-year plan," MacKnight said.

The department has been following its own drug strategy -- largely
composed of advancing education initiatives, which are mixed with
enforcement, he said. There are also partnerships between the
department and other agencies.

"When you look at substance abuse, only a tiny portion really is
about enforcement. The rest of it involves health issues."