Pubdate: Thu, 27 Oct 2005
Source: Summerland Review (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Summerland Review
Contact:  http://www.summerlandreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1143
Author: John Arendt

DRUG OFFICER NAMED

RCMP officer will handle drug offenses and large files

A Summerland RCMP officer has been appointed to deal with serious
cases and youth issues, including drug use in the community.

Cst. Terry Faulkner took the role as general investigations section
officer for the community earlier this month.

He says drug issues are an ongoing problem for the
community.

"Summerland is known as the place to smoke marijuana because there's a
lot of it here," he says.

He adds that crystal methamphetamine and cocaine are also available
locally, but on a smaller scale.

One of Faulkner's tasks is to watch for crystal methamphetamine labs
in the community.

"We haven't come across one yet, but I've been told there's
undoubtedly one around here," he says.

Marijuana grow operations are present in Summerland and at this time
of year, many of these operations are going indoors.

Cocaine, which is grown and processed primarily in Central and South
America, is being sold locally, Faulkner says.

Other drug use is less prevalent in Summerland. For example, LSD is
not common here. Ecstasy, a popular drug among young people elsewhere,
has not made significant inroads in the region.

"I've seen hardly any of it here in the Okanagan," Faulkner
says.

The police detachment is also working on alcohol-related
issues.

Faulkner says the most serious problem is drinking and driving.
Underage drinking is also a police concern.

The police have addressed drug and alcohol issues in the
past.

Last fall, police worked to crack down on drug use in Memorial Park.
Faulkner says this initiative reduced the amount of drug activity
there, but he says there are still hotspots of drug use throughout the
community. The detachment has also worked with Summerland Secondary
School to address drug issues.

He urges people to contact the police or CrimeStoppers with tips about
drug activity and says each tip will be investigated.

Faulkner has spent nine years as an RCMP officer, the last two in
Summerland. Earlier, he spent two years with the Burnaby robbery and
serious crimes sections.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin