Pubdate: Thu, 01 Mar 2007 Source: Summerland Review (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 The Summerland Review Contact: http://www.summerlandreview.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1143 A DRUG PROBLEM Two separate reports of serious drug incidents in Summerland last week should raise some alarms in this community. In one case, a marijuana grow operation was taken down and some plants and drug-related paraphernalia were seized. In another case, two people were charged with drug trafficking. Cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy pills and drug paraphernalia were found when a vehicle was searched last Thursday. At first glance, it may be easy to dismiss these incidents as isolated cases, involving just a few people. But marijuana growers and drug traffickers do not stay in business unless there are customers for their products. The two incidents last week should be seen as signs of an ongoing drug problem in Summerland. This is not the first time a drug bust has occurred or drug-related charges have been issued. Concerns have already been raised about drug use in Summerland. The community now has a full-time drug and alcohol abuse treatment coordinator working through the Summerland Asset Development Initiative. Last year, Summerland held a forum on crystal methamphetamine addiction and earlier, a community forum was held on drug use and addictions. So far, this community has been fortunate. While we have some problems with drugs and drug use, the situation is not yet out of control. When drug use becomes rampant, a number of social problems will soon escalate. This will happen here unless we can control drug activity. If we do not want the problems associated with drug use and abuse, we need to start talking about it. We need to realize we have a potentially serious problem right here. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek