Pubdate: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 Source: Pincher Creek Echo (CN AB) Copyright: 2003 Pincher Creek Echo Contact: http://www.pinchercreekecho.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1835 Author: Shari Narine DRUG USE CONCERNS MOUNTIES Pincher Creek Echo -- While the figures don't support it, Const. Trevor Baldwin of the local RCMP detachment admits that there is "trouble with drug use" in the Pincher Creek area. First quarter figures (January through to the end of March) indicate no charges for drug offences. "Unless drug use is reported, we don't get it," said Baldwin, who noted that any collars for drug-related crimes come when individuals have been apprehended on different violations. "Drug use is going up, but it's not being pushed in our face," he added. While marijuana is the largest problem in the greater community, Baldwin said that a "small amount of cocaine has surfaced". Other drugs, like Ecstasy, don't present a problem in the Pincher Creek area. Statistics presented to the council for the Municipal District of Pincher Creek at its June 10 meeting show a decline in almost every offence compared to the same period last year. While property offences have dropped from 13 to six, council did note more vandalism of rural signs and asked Baldwin to patrol more for that. "It's disheartening seeing the money we spent (on the rural road signs) and seeing it be destroyed," said Deputy Reeve Rodney Cyr. Other decreases have been noticed in traffic accidents, which dropped from 58 to 36. Provincial traffic contraventions climbed from 140 to 154 and assaults jumped from one to three. Only eight detachments in Alberta have a lower crime rate than the Pincher Creek detachment, which ranks 98 out of 106 detachments. - --- MAP posted-by: Tom