Pubdate: Wed, 02 Apr 2003
Source: Citizen, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 The Citizen
Contact:  http://www.northhuron.on.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2417
Author: Andrea Hruska

DRUGS, TOPIC OF COP MEETING

Members of the Community Oriented Policing committee left the March meeting 
a bit wiser about street drugs and how they affect young people and 
communities.

OPP Sr. Const. Don Shropshall and Const. Dave Gillan presented displays of 
drugs and paraphernalia and answered questions from adults looking for ways 
to better understand a problem most children will face. Gillan passed 
around some marijuana leaves for the group to see and smell while 
explaining about "grow houses", propagation and THC levels. THC (Delta-9 
Tetra Hydro Cannabinol) is the oil or resin that forms on the leaves of the 
plant. The level of the oil can range anywhere from 14 - 29 per cent with 
the higher number being the better quality.

Staff Sgt. Ray Massicott of the Waterloo Regional Police Drug Unit explains 
that although marijuana is "dangerous enough in and of itself" large 
amounts of pesticides and insecticides are used to control infestations of 
spider mites which are attracted to the sticky resin on the leaves. "These 
chemicals are not rinsed away," Sgt. Massicott stated in a telephone 
interview, "and on the streets here (in Waterloo Region) they are calling 
this stuff Echemo."

He stressed the seriousness of people not knowing the purity or the source 
of the drugs they are purchasing. "Drugs like speed (methamphetamines) and 
ecstacy are often produced in homemade labs. Our undercover officers 
purchased what they were told was ecstasy but the analysis showed the pills 
contained Viagra and horse tranquilizers."

Gillan said that due to the risks involved, police must call Health Canada 
rather than enter the suspected labs themselves. Rohypnol the "date rape 
drug" and ecstasy are referred to as "club drugs" as these are most common 
at raves, concerts and clubs. Ecstasy or "E" is more of a stimulant 
increasing heart rate and giving an overall sense of euphoria. Shropshall 
explained that E, which can also be snorted, can be purchased for anywhere 
from $10 - $20 a tab, producing a high that lasts about a day. He estimated 
that approximately 30 per cent of high school students have been approached 
to try ecstasy. "It will probably not be adults selling to your kids. Most 
kids today are approached by their peers, using tactics like 'I'll let you 
try it for free' or 'So and so tried it and nothing bad happened to him'."

Rohypnol or roofies is a depressant, causing temporary memory loss and 
unconsciousness. It is not easily traced after ingestion, making it an 
ideal weapon in rape. Gillan explained that this drug can be crushed and 
slipped into pop, bottled water or alcoholic beverages undetected.

Signs which might tip parents off to drug use Shropshall said are: money 
going fast or disappearing from around the house, a change in habits such 
as not coming home at expected times or a newly-developed, very mellow, 
laid-back state.

Finally, Shropshall explained that the child's dirty laundry will have a 
"skunk-like stink" to it because of smoking marijuana.

Shropshall said that in his experience, the best age group to speak to 
about drugs was Grades 6-8. "It seems a bit easier to get the message 
across to these kids before they get to high school."

Massicott strongly suggests to parents "Talk, talk, talk. If your kids say 
drugs are no worse than alcohol, you say "Alright then, do the research and 
show me".

The April 16 COP meeting, being held in Brussels at 7:30 p.m., will focus 
on protecting home, farm and business from theft. Engravers will be 
available that evening.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom