Pubdate: Mon, 29 Sep 2014
Source: Metro (Calgary, CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/Calgary
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4471
Author: Jeremy Nolais
Page: A1

POLICE TAKING MORE DRUGS OFF CITY STREETS

Users Urged to Stop. Deaths Elsewhere Should Serve As Warning, Say 
Top Narcotics Cops

Calgary police are reporting a major upswing in seizures of opiates, 
ecstasy, cocaine and other drugs so far in 2014, but they believe 
investigative efforts, not a spike in dealers, is likely behind the increase.

Seizure files involving meth, and heroin, in particular have nearly 
doubled from 72 cases to 142 and 25 to 47, said Staff Sgt. Tom Hanson.

The data he provided to Metro covered 2014 to the end of July, 
compared to the same time period in 2013.

Illegal opiate seizures have increased 31 per cent, jumping from 93 
to 122, and ecstasy cases have seen similar growth from 29 cases a 
year ago to 38 this year.

Cocaine seizures, meanwhile, have jumped from 385 to 450, an increase 
of 18 per cent.

"It doesn't necessarily say that there is that much more on the 
street - it just says that my guys are looking for the stuff," Hanson 
said, when asked about the increases.

Hanson said his team is watching for a move to alternate opiate-type 
drugs to counter a lack of OxyContin after it was pulled from 
pharmaceutical circulation in 2012. But he added there hasn't been a 
noticeable spike in fentanyl seizures, as has been reported to the 
north in Alberta.

Last week, St. Albert RCMP sounded the alarm over a rise of cases 
involving fentanyl, stating it's 80 times more powerful than morphine 
and believed connected to two recent deaths in Saskatchewan.

Aden Amanuel owns a convenience store in Forest Lawn and applauded 
police efforts. She's seen more officers in recent months, likely due 
to the 16-constable International Avenue Beat Team assigned to patrol the area.

Amanuel said she didn't necessarily see drug deals occur near her 
shop, but definitely saw after-effects, with stoned and intoxicated 
people trudging through the area.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom