Pubdate: Thu, 19 Apr 2007
Source: Banner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 The Orangeville Banner
Contact:  http://www.orangeville.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2217
Author: Richard Vivian, Banner, Staff Writer

VIGILANCE NEEDED ON METH, POT, SAY SHELBURNE POLICE

In an effort to keep residents ever-vigilant, Shelburne  Police
Service is hosting an information session on  crystal meth and
marijuana grow houses. The event will  be held April 26 at Grace
Tipling Hall, with a 7 p.m.  start time.

"We haven't found any more [evidence of crystal meth in  the
community], we just want to keep up the vigilance  and make people who
aren't aware of it, aware that it  has been found in the area," says
Sgt. Mark Bennett,  media relations officer. "It will always be around
if  we don't watch for it."

The session is designed to share information with the  public about
the signs and symptoms of meth use, the  inherent dangers in the
production of both meth and  marijuana, and offer tips on how to
identify possible  labs and grow houses in the community.

This is the second such session Shelburne police have  organized since
a trace amount of crystal meth was  first discovered on a spoon in the
high school parking  lot last year. More than 100 people turned out
for the  first event, held on the last day of school in June.

"We've had a number of people express interest that  weren't able to
make it, so we thought it would be a  good time to host a second one,"
Bennett says, noting  there are also concerns regarding new trends in
the  drug world.

"A lot of the ecstasy is being heavily laced with  crystal meth. So
these kids try 'E' going out to the  clubs -- and it is fairly
prevalent in Dufferin --  could inadvertently become hooked on meth,"
he says.  "Any kind of drug can be laced with meth, and because  it's
such a cash cow for dealers ... they will do  everything in their
power to get you hooked."

The addiction rate for first-time meth users, Bennett  explains, is
more than 90 per cent. With second use,  addiction is almost guaranteed.

Last fall, Shelburne police and local businesses  partnered under the
Meth Watch program, which sees  business people trained about the
commonly available  items used in the production of meth, as well as
suspicious behaviour to watch for. Anonymous tips are  then provided
to police.

"The Meth Watch program is proving to be a big success.  We've gotten
a number of tips that have proven not to  be meth users, but it shows
that people are remaining  vigilant and trying to keep it out of the
community,"  Bennett tells The Banner. "If we can work collectively,
that's how we'll be able to beat this scourge."

The April 26 information session is free of charge, but  attendees are
encouraged to bring a non-perishable food  donation for the food bank.

For more information, contact Shelburne police.
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MAP posted-by: Derek