Pubdate: Wed, 02 Aug 2006 Source: Nanton News (CN AB) Copyright: 2006 Nanton News Contact: http://www.nantonnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3200 Author: Blair Braitenbach, Editor ILLEGAL DRUG OFFENCES HAVE DECREASED IN NANTON The Calgary Police Service states that drug related offences have increased overall by three per cent since last year to date, but according to RCMP Corporal David Friend, Nanton's drug scene has not moved alongside Calgary's. Friend explained there will always be a certain amount of recreational use of softer drugs like marijuana, and once in a while there will be a "rash of people using the harder drugs," particularly methamphetamines, or crystal meth, but for the most part the Nanton RCMP detatchment rarely has to respond to specific drug offences. Friend said there have been few problems concerning drug possession in Nanton as of late, and that trafficking in Nanton is typically not a problem in town. "We're close enough to the city where we don't really have a serious drug dealing problem in town," Friend said. "What (users) will do is drive up to High River or Okotoks and get some drugs and bring them back." Although crack cocaine use is still a minor issue in town, Friend explained that the biggest problem Nanton has had with drug-related offences occurred last fall when crystal meth use had drastically risen. He said crystal meth had been gaining in popularity in Claresholm and Fort Macleod and eventually made its way to Nanton. Friend said the RCMP had to respond to more "spin-off" crimes that resulted from the increased crystal meth use in Nanton, such as increased cases of domestic abuse. Friend said such offences have declined as the supply of the drug dried up in the spring. "The problem struck a few individuals in town which was a real eye opener to a lot of others," Friend said. "Now we've kind of plateaued as far as the outbreak of crystal meth goes. There is not a lot of new use but (we're) still dealing with issues of the people that got involved with it right in the beginning." Friend said the courts only take possession of soft drugs very seriously if the accused had more than 30 grams on him or her. He also explained that smaller detachments don't have the time or resources to put together investigations to target smaller operations, but from time to time drug teams will make "opportunity buys" in smaller areas to arrest those involved in the drug scene. "But if you go to some kids partying in the park and they have dope on them they're going to get charged," Friend said. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek