Pubdate: Wed, 14 Nov 2007
Source: Vulcan Advocate (CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 Vulcan Advocate
Contact:  http://www.vulcanadvocate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3258
Author: Stephen Tipper
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

DRUGS A PROBLEM IN VULCAN COUNTY

Does Vulcan County have a drug problem?

Yes.

People would be naive to believe otherwise, Cpl. Larry Wiltshire, who 
heads up the Vulcan RCMP detachment, told Vulcan County's municipal 
planning commission last Wednesday morning.

But the problem in this county is no more prevalent than it was at 
the other seven detachments where he has worked, he said.

"I don't think there's any community out there that doesn't have a 
drug problem," said Wiltshire.

He added it's not so bad that anyone walking down the street could be 
suspected of being on drugs.

The main drugs found in this area are crack cocaine, marijuana and 
some crystal meth, he said.

"Crack cocaine is pretty widely available and pretty easy to access," 
said Wiltshire.

Crack cocaine could well be coming from Calgary, he said. Wilshire 
also mentioned that construction crews could be bringing it in while 
they're in the area to make "easy money."

Cocaine is not a cheap drug, he told the commission.

Vulcan RCMP sends in information to officers who specialize in 
fighting the drug trade, said Wiltshire, and whether a drug 
enforcement squad comes to Vulcan County depends upon numerous 
factors, including the squad's priorities and the strength of the 
intelligence reported, he said. A squad recently came in to bust a 
grow-op operation with the help of a southern Alberta police drug 
unit, he said.

Wiltshire said a few people have built grow-ops, more for their own 
personal use than for distributing it to others, he said. With 
teenagers, pot and alcohol use are the two main concerns, said Wiltshire.

Misuse of alcohol is not going to stop, he said.

"We try to stop them on Friday night, but it's not going to go away," 
said Wiltshire, adding that the RCMP can at least attempt to cut down 
on the number of collisions related to alcohol use. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake