Pubdate: Sun, 11 Nov 2007
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 The Calgary Sun
Contact:  http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Tarina White

COKE ABUSE GROWS IN PROVINCE

Cocaine abuse is Alberta's biggest drug problem, with reported 
offences jumping 12% last year, according to a provincial task force.

That's compared to a 1% dip in overall drug offences across the 
province in 2006.

Those involving marijuana saw an 8% reduction, according to the 
report compiled by Alberta's Crime Reduction and Safe Communities 
Task Force and released last week.

Red Deer Tory MLA Mary Anne Jablonski, who sat on the province's 
crystal meth task force, said yesterday cocaine abuse is now more 
cause for concern than crystal meth.

"Because nobody's really focused on or emphasized the consequences of 
using cocaine, and because the drug is not as dirty as crystal meth, 
I think that people turned to cocaine for their preferred drug of 
use," said Jablonski.

"Obviously, they're not as afraid of cocaine as they are of crystal meth."

But, Jablonski said the province's focus needs to be on thwarting all 
drug use, not just crystal meth.

"It isn't the crystal meth crisis that I would work on behalf of -- 
it's the entire drug addiction crisis," she said.

Across Canada, there has been a 67% increase in cocaine offences, 
including drug possession and trafficking, since 2002, according to the report.

The province says it supports the task force's recommendation to 
expand treatment for addicts and crack down on drug dealers.

The report identifies the province's growing prosperity as a factor 
in more cocaine flooding Alberta towns and cities.

Brooks Mayor Don Weisbeck said he has seen a noticeable surge in the 
use of cocaine since the oilpatch boom hit his community.

"It certainly remains the drug of choice among adults."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart