Pubdate: Fri, 03 Mar 2006 Source: Observer, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2006, OSPREY Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.theobserver.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1676 Author: Stephen Huebl Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) AREA DRUG PROBLEM GROWING Drug Squad Officer Details Trends In Sarnia Life in Sarnia may seem rosy on the surface but the sad reality is the city has a surging drug problem on its hands. That was the message from a member of the Drug Enforcement Unit in a presentation to the Sarnia Police Services Board Thursday. Const. Mike Anderson detailed some of the trends he has noticed over the past four years while working in the drug division of the Sarnia police. While the use of some drugs, such as ecstasy, has been on the decline, crack cocaine, crystal meth and abuse of prescription drugs are all on the rise, he said. Anderson calls the addiction to prescription drugs, namely oxycocet, alarming. "I don't know why it's increased," Anderson told The Observer in an interview. "In the city of Sarnia right now, it's alarming to see the number of people who have a problem with prescription drugs." Many of the city's break and enters and credit card frauds can be traced to drug addiction, Anderson noted, as addicts struggle to maintain gainful employment and resort to crime to feed their addictions. Anderson adds that the appetite for hard drugs, such as crystal meth and crack cocaine, is bigger now, not only in terms of the quality of the product, but also the quantity. The use of intravenous drugs is also a growing problem, he said. Even though police have made some large seizures and arrested some of those higher up the drug ladder, Anderson said there's no way to stop the culture of drugs. Although there are many victims of crimes committed by drug addicts, Anderson said many of those caught up in drugs are victims themselves. "A lot of people don't understand the victimization that's taking place," Anderson said. "They get caught up in that game and it's very hard to get out ... it's ruining lives." In his work with the drug enforcement unit, Anderson said there have been many times when he came across addicts doing drug runs with children in the car, or finding toddlers roaming drug houses where the drugs are left in the open. In cases such as those, Anderson said it doesn't take much for the children to follow in their parents' footsteps. "They grow up with that being their reality," he said. Dr. Del Donald, a co-founder of the Bluewater Methadone Clinic, understands how lives are being affected by drug addiction through his involvement with the clinic. Now in its second year, the clinic is currently providing services to more than 200 patients dealing with addictions. "The problem is, if you identify a problem and don't have a solution for it, what do you do?" Donald said. "This is one of the reasons we set this clinic up." Donald said police have a role to play in controlling drug use in the city but they alone can't solve the problem. "If you look at it objectively, tightening drug laws has never worked. It didn't work during prohibition and it certainly hasn't worked now," he said. "I don't believe if you get tougher you can ever clean up the drugs." Sarnia's police chief, Bill O'Brien, does see a need for more of a crackdown on drugs, which he said should start with the government taking a clear stand on the law as it relates to marijuana. Because of the mixed messages coming from different governments regarding marijuana, O'Brien said many in the community are confused about the law, noting many think pot is now legal. "I don't think (the governments) realize marijuana is a stepping stone to harder drugs," he said. Additionally, limited police resources don't give officers the time and equipment they need to reign in those at the top of drug chains. "I think we're fighting a battle that's becoming increasingly challenging," he said. One of those challenges is the fact a joint task force established with the Lambton OPP several years ago is in limbo because the OPP officers involved have since moved on to other jobs and have not yet been replaced, Anderson said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom