Pubdate: Mon, 29 Oct 2001 Source: Clearwater Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 Clearwater Times Contact: http://www.clearwatertimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1448 Author: Keith McNeill DRUG SITUATION NEEDS ATTITUDE CHANGE Police believe that there may be 20 to 25 sophisticated marijuana grow operations between Kamloops and Clearwater, according to Sgt. Steve Giesinger. "This is organized crime. This is bikers. This is Hell's Angels and their offspring," he said. The NCO-in-charge of the Clearwater RCMP Detachment was speaking to a special session of the Clearwater Community Health Advisory Council on Wednesday evening. About two dozen CHAC members and other local residents were present. One example of what he was talking about was a grow operation in Barriere that police raided last May. The operation was located in a special warehouse and contained 1700 plants. It had been in production for about three years, and was believed to produce a crop every six weeks. Police seized a number of items under the proceeds of crime legislation, including a mobile home. No arrests were made, however, as there was no one present at the scene when police arrived. The operation cost Barriere Detachment about $7,000 for such items as overtime and having the RCMP emergency response team present, Giesinger noted. That amounted to about 10 per cent of the detachment's budget. Even when they have a good idea who is selling drugs, the rules of evidence make it difficult to get a search warrant, make an arrest and get a conviction, he added. He gave an as example a report from a local informant that a certain person had just sold a friend some cocaine. Within an hour local police applied for a search warrant. The Justice of the Peace asked how the police knew the substance was actually cocaine. Those who advocate the decriminalization of marijuana may be unaware that it already is for small amounts, the sergeant noted. Possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana or hashish results in a summary conviction. There are no photographs, fingerprints or criminal records kept. Since Jan. 1, the Clearwater detachment has had 69 drug-related files, he reported. These included 48 drug seizures. Only eight charges were laid. Two of those charged were minors. One person charged was 13 years old, the other 15. The best way to deal with the situation is to change people's attitudes to reduce the demand for drugs, Giesinger felt. One example is the DARE program presently being taught by a detachment member to Grade 5 and 6 students in Raft River Elementary. The 17 week program says little about drugs, but instead focuses on self esteem. Money to put it on came from the TNRD, Royal Purple and Elks. The plan is to have a second officer trained next year for a program in Blue River, the sergeant added. Nights Alive is another program that he felt has proven successful. It targets teens who might get into trouble because they have little to do. The young people initiate and organize the events themselves, with assistance from an adult coordinator. "Alcohol is the biggest concern in Clearwater and throughout the province, without a doubt," Giesinger emphasized. One example of what he was talking about is the Farm, an abandoned homestead in the Candle Creek area. It has been a popular spot for bush parties for decades. Police are concerned that those attending parties at the Farm range in age from 13 to 25 and older, the sergeant noted. Last June the detachment received reports that the dangerous drug ecstasy was being sold at a grad party at the Farm. Drugs sold as ecstasy often are something else, Giesinger told the group. "I think we can't give up. We just have to keep plugging away," he concluded. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth