Pubdate: Sat, 05 May 2007 Source: Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN) Copyright: 2007 Prince Albert Daily Herald Contact: http://www.paherald.sk.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1918 Author: Jessica Kiunga, Herald Staff ON GUARD AGAINST DRUG ABUSE Businesses owners downtown are taking preventive steps to keep drug abusers out of their establishments. Greg Dionne, general manager of Gateway Mall, says security guards there have been relatively effective in deterring drug activity. A security patrol staff of five officers often pass by mall washrooms, which can be a drug injection hotspot. "Ours (the washrooms) are very well lit, and we're in a very public area," Dionne said. Dionne said security cameras inside and outside the building, especially those near washrooms, also deter unwanted behaviour. "They don't want to be in the public eye," Dionne said. One downtown business manager says the drug problem downtown is constant, but he is taking a zero tolerance stance. Doug Cheyne, manager and co-owner of the National Hotel, said if drug traffickers or users are caught red-handed at the hotel, they are banned for life from the establishment. "You don't get back in the hotel," he said. Cheyne said his staff watches closely for signs of drug use and quite often catch people with needles. Cheyne estimated about half a dozen needles turn up each week. But Cheyne says the hotel has a "very good security system," with cameras covering a lot of ground. He's also been able to pinpoint customers who could potentially cause trouble. "We know who we're looking for," he said. There has also been a needle disposal unit installed behind the hotel so users can discard their needles safely. Ed Zaparaniuk, owner of all three Tim Hortons stores in the city, says there's evidence of drug abuse across the whole city. "We find needles in every store," he said. "It's not only downtown." However, he feels businesses that are open during later hours, which can be "hangouts" for drug uses, are the establishments that see the worst of it. Though Zaparaniuk doesn't think Prince Albert is overly bad for drug use, he admits it's not going away any time soon. "It's something I don't think we're really going to get rid of," he said. Sgt. Rhonda Meakin with the Prince Albert police said reserving washrooms for patrons of stores and restaurants is a good tip for business owners who want to deter criminal activity in their shops. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek