Pubdate: Sat, 19 Apr 2003 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Keith Bradford and Andrea Sands HIKE IN HEISTS LINKED TO METH Cops Fear Methamphetamine Epidemic A possible link between a spike in both methamphetamine use and robberies is setting off alarm bells for city police. Deputy Chief Mike Bradshaw told The Sun robberies in January and February rose 55% - notably at convenience stores - over the same period in 2002. That comes as city detectives suggest methamphetamine use - which doctors say can cause users to be violent - has doubled in each of the last two years and is in danger of becoming an "epidemic." "The emerging trend is a little alarming in that not only are we seeing an increase in robberies with the potential for violence, but this is corresponding with another menace that's out there, and that's the rise in use of speed and methamphetamines," said Bradshaw. In a report to the Edmonton police commission this week, cops said robberies jumped from 171 in the first two months of last year to 264 this year. That includes a spike in robberies with weapons. Violent crime, property crime and auto theft also rose during the same period, said police. Although cops don't record ties between drugs and individual robberies, Det. Pete Cherniawsky said anecdotal evidence suggests a "scary" meth increase is a major factor. "Ask any detective - in robbery, fraud, auto theft, even family violence - and you will be told that those crimes are going to increase because of the ramifications of meth," said Cherniawsky, with the drug unit. "Meth is extremely addictive and users are going to need to get the money (to buy it) from somewhere. It's a drug that seems to make you paranoid and violent - the cost to society is extremely high." There were just two meth lab drug busts in Edmonton in 2001 but eight since September, and Cherniawsky expects that to double by the end of 2003. But he admitted police generally only find labs when there's a fire or from tips, because the chemicals needed for meth are freely available in stores. "The amount of meth out there is phenomenal - there could be hundreds of labs in Edmonton," said Cherniawsky. "I would say methamphetamine is the number 3 drug in Edmonton after marijuana and cocaine. But if it follows what has happened in the U.S. it's going to overshadow the cocaine problem and it will become an epidemic here." Meth is sold for about $60 a gram, compared to about $80 a gram for cocaine. Its effects can last hours, rather than the 20-minute high a user might get off coke. David Cook, professor of pharmacology at the U of A, said use of the highly addictive drug - like all amphetamines - has long been associated with violence. He said a U.S. hospital study showed two-thirds of meth deaths involved homicides and suicide, while overdoses accounted for just one-third. RCMP Cpl. Harold Trupish said methamphetamine use is also rife in rural Alberta, including Edson and Hinton. The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission reported a jump in methamphetamine addiction over the last 18 months but hasn't tracked it statistically. Police said the spike in robberies came as homicide and some sex offences declined. Violent crime was up 9% to 1,098 from 960 over the same period. Auto theft also jumped 9%, from 1,089 to 1,187 and property crime increased from 6,318 to 6,575 - about 4%. Business break and enters rose by 36%. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth