Pubdate: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Maple Ridge News Contact: http://www.mapleridgenews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328 Author:Leslie Dickson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/grow+operations 'LARGE PERCENTAGE' OF PROPERTY CRIME CAUSED BY CRYSTAL METH: RCMP The Ridge Meadows RCMP commended council for renewing its commitment to the Maple Ridge crystal meth task force earlier this week, but said the community still has a long way to go in tackling the drug problem. Speaking to council this week, Insp. Janice Armstrong noted the drug has come to the "forefront" lately, with more cases surfacing in the community. But with the implementation of the Rehab on Demand program this Monday, Armstrong suggested the rate of crystal meth addiction could decline in the future. Mayor Gordon Robson asked if crystal meth addiction accounts for the vast majority of crimes committed in Maple Ridge. But Armstrong said the RCMP didn't have precise figures, partly because suspects are not automatically tested for drugs when they are arrested for criminal offences. However, Armstrong conceded crystal meth use contributes to crime in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. "A large percentage of the people we deal with are contending with crystal meth," Armstrong asserted, noting a large majority of people arrested for property offences are using crystal meth. As in many municipalities in the Lower Mainland, Armstrong said Maple Ridge is also contending with a large number of grow-ops. "It's a very lucrative business that's alive and well in our community," Armstrong remarked to council. But Armstrong insisted the local detachment is making headway, with 47 busts so far this year seizing more than 12,000 plants, and four grow-ops shut down in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows this week alone. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin