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.
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MAP posted-by: Tom