Pubdate: Thu, 26 Aug 2004 Source: Record, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. Contact: http://www.royalcityrecord.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1654 Author: Ron Devitt POLICE ASK RESIDENTS TO CALL IF DRUGS ARE INVOLVED New Westminster police are asking city residents to contact them to properly dispose of drugs or drug paraphernalia. Recently, a resident living in the 500 block of 10th Street went to work on his motorcycle in his apartment complex parking lot and was surprised to hear the breaking of glass as he lifted the plastic tarp off the bike. He found a broken medical tube at his feet and then discovered a plastic bag full of lighters and other paraphernalia related to the use of drugs. He believes the police may have scared someone into his parking area and that person hid the stash in the tarp until they could come back when it was safe. "Somebody got nervous with what they were carrying and dumped it," said the resident, who identified himself only as Bruce. A little worried about the drug paraphernalia being hidden under his bike, he decided to contact the authorities. "I phoned the cops the first time and I told them I found some drug paraphernalia and they said 'throw it out,'" said Bruce. "I went to throw it out and opened the metal case and found five bags of drugs." He phoned the police back to tell them about his discovery of bags he believed to be crack cocaine, but the phone went dead as he began to explain his find. Fearing that the police didn't care, Bruce called the mayor's office and the newspapers. New Westminster police Sgt. Doug Deacon admits there was a glitch in communication. He said police didn't have time to get Bruce's contact information before they were cut off during the second call. He said police will, in almost all cases, come around and pick up drugs found lying around so they can be properly disposed of as outlined by federal policy. "Each case has to be weighed on its own merits," said Deacon. "If it's something that's so minor like a marijuana joint we might just say throw it in the garbage, if it's something like needles or a larger amount of drugs we would certainly come out." Deacon said there is a person on staff assigned to the disposal of drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager