Pubdate: Tue, 05 Oct 2004 Source: Sunny South News, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2004 The Sunny South News Contact: http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/ssnews/home/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2540 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) CRYSTAL METH PRODUCTION INCREASING With the increase in Crystal Meth production in Alberta, Picture Butte Cpl. Eric Mattinson said he has fielded an increasing number of calls inquiring about drugs in the community. "It's a major concern for us as RCMP." The use of methanphademens is on the rise in Alberta and Mattinson said the drug awareness meeting is open to the public. The goal of the meeting is to get information out to the communities in the region. Mattinson said in the last year RCMP have made several seizures of the drug in the Picture Butte area. "It's out there. We want to make the public aware it is a dangerous substance." The meeting is designed to help local residents learn how to recognize the drug and other drugs that may be found in the area. He said police also need local residents to give officers information on where the drugs maybe in Picture Butte and other communities. Mattinson said RCMP will also be taking drug awareness programs into the local schools with local officers delivering the programs. In addition to drug awareness Mattinson also has some local traffic concerns. He said area residents in a number of communities including Picture Butte, Shaughnessy and Nobleford are parking on the wrong side of the street over night. Under the Highway Traffic Act this offense carries a fine of $57. "It's not just in Picture Butte, it's everywhere." He said if the RCMP were to do a traffic blitz there would be a lot of tickets issued. On a positive note warnings issued to local kids on bike helmet use seems to be paying off. "There has been a vast improvement," he said. "We're only trying to prevent injuries and death." Mattinson said everyone thinks it won't happen to them but it takes only a split second for a tumble off a bike to cause serious head injuries or death. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek