Pubdate: Wed, 08 Jan 2003
Source: Port Perry This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing, Ltd
Contact:  http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/info/scugog/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2528

WAR ON DRUGS GOING FULL BLAST IN DURHAM

Durham police have spent much time, energy and money battling drugs over 
the past few years. The problem seems to be getting much worse, not better.

Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) officers found an increase in a 
different type of impairment these past seven weeks: those who toke and drive.

Acting-Sergeant Mark Stone of the Durham Regional Police is clearly 
troubled by the 30 motorists who were stopped and charged with marijuana 
possession. That's in addition to the 56 who were charged with driving over 
the legal limit of 80 mgs. per 100 mls. of blood out of 27,066 vehicles 
inspected. By comparison, in 2001, police stopped 30,497 vehicles and 
charged 70 people with being over the limit.

"Personally, I was shocked by the number of narcotic charges," said Sgt. 
Stone. Drug charges this year tripled over last year despite fewer vehicles 
being stopped. In several cases officers were greeted with clouds of smoke 
from freshly burnt joints as they made their stop.

While there are no specific measurable levels for marijuana impairment 
behind the wheel, as there are with alcohol, officers can charge obviously 
stoned drivers.

Toking and driving is only a part of the ongoing, expensive drug battle.

This past year has seen an all-out war on pot-grow homes with dozens of 
busts made throughout the region on a continuous basis. More than 100 pot 
homes were shut down in Durham during 2002 and there promises to be many 
more this coming year.

Not only has millions in pot been confiscated in these raids but hundreds 
of thousands of dollars in illegal hydro theft has been restored. Grow 
homes typically tap into power lines illicitly and steal tremendous amounts 
of power until they are caught.

Police are also keeping a close watch on the movements and activities of 
local bikers, who've moved into the area in the past few years. The Hells 
Angels have established a clubhouse in Oshawa and are also working, 
according to police, with local puppet clubs. An alleged outlaw biker was 
busted recently for drug activity here.

All this effort by police merely points up the increasing problems caused 
by drugs in our region. Whether it be toking and driving, grow homes or 
drug dealing and the associated crimes that go with it, our police face 
huge challenges as we head into another year. Their challenges are also our 
challenges. Whether we're parents or children, we owe it to ourselves to 
work with law enforcement to stamp out illegal drug use.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom