Pubdate: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 Source: News Review, The (CN SN) Copyright: 2006 Yorkton News Review Contact: http://www.yorktonnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4047 Author: Karl Kopan, N-R Writer TWO DRUG INVESTIGATORS HIRED "It only takes one house where someone is selling, producing or using illegal drugs to compromise the safety of an entire neighborhood." Those are the words of Saskatchewan Justice Minister Frank Quennell explaining the government's decision to fund the hiring of an additional two investigors in the province. The officers work as members of a ten-person Safer Communities and Neighborhoods Investigation (SCAN) Unit created two years ago with funds from the provincial government. The idea for the SCAN unit came from Manitoba which had legislation and officers working. Laws in Saskatchewan are slightly different than those of Manitoba. "Upon receiving a complaint from a citizen about a building in their neighborhood that they believe may be housing unlawful activities, including the production or dealing of drugs, the investigators have the ability to apply to the court for what is called a Community Safety Order." Once the order is obtained the activities in the building can be shut down. In most cases the buildings the unlawful activities are taking place in are rentals and nearly all landlords have been cooperative in assisting in doing whatever is necessary to shut down the operation. "In some cases it might be a younger family member who is carrying on the activity. When the investigators make the parents or guardians aware of it that also brings and end to it," Quennel details. SCAN received 305 complaints for the year ending 2000. They conducted 221 investigations, issued six warning letters, served 64 eviction notices, and applied for one community safety order. They currently have 80 active investigations from 2005 with four awaiting assessment. As of the end of February 2006, a total of 67 complaints have been filed with the unit. "So far eight investigations have concluded and five eviction notices served. That would be not only in the two larger cities but smaller cities, towns and villages around the province." Quennel says the hiring of the two officers will also be supported by the hiring of more drug enforcement officers in the RCMP are Both are a part of the Premier's Project Hope, a program to combat substance abuse in the province. It has four different components to it: education, prevention, treatment and cutting off the drug supply. "Of all the steps we've taken over the last two years that I've been Minister of Justice there's no program I'm more proud of than the Safer Communities And Neighborhoods initiative," Quennel explains. Cities have taken the cue from the positive outcome of the program. Both Regina and Saskatoon have introduced complimentary safe housing programs. "We're having a real effect on neighborhoods in making people feel safer." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake