Pubdate: Thu, 02 Feb 2012
Source: Morden Times (CN MB)
Copyright: 2012 Sun Media
Contact: http://www.mordentimes.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.mordentimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3730

SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES NOT IMMUNE TO DRUGS, ORGANIZED CRIME: RCMP

WINNIPEG - Last year the RCMP took down 53 marihuana grow operations 
of all sizes across Manitoba.

In the process, they seized enough marihuana plants to just about 
cover a football field.

The RCMP also made a total of 1,070 drug seizures across the province 
last year in over 200 communities in Manitoba.

Officials cited those statistics last week as they joined government 
representatives in stressing not only the harmful impact of the drug 
trade on Manitobans but pledged their continued efforts to clamp down on it.

"Drugs are linked to violence and organized crime, which affects 
everybody in some way," said Assistant Commissioner Bill Robinson.

"We will persist in seeking out and disrupting drug trafficking in 
Manitoba, while getting the message out about just how harmful drugs 
are to families and communities."

"The drug trade endangers public safety and fuels organized crime. By 
disrupting the drug trade, the RCMP and their partners are making our 
streets and communities safer," said federal Minister of Public 
Safety Vic Toews.

"The government stands firm in its ongoing commitment to tackling 
drug-related crime. We do not tolerate the production, trafficking or 
distribution of illegal drugs in this country."

"Our government continues to value our strong partnership with the 
RCMP and is a strong supporter of their efforts to deal with the 
damage done by drugs in our communities," said Andrew Swan, 
provincial minister of justice and attorney general. "Far too often, 
we've seen how drugs can destroy people's lives and families, and how 
addictions drive other crimes and violence."

That was clearly demonstrated in an address made by Lori Davis, whose 
son Chad was murdered in a drug-related incident in 2008 after he got 
mixed up in the drug world.

"Drugs killed our youngest son. It began with marihuana. And then my 
son got into selling drugs," said Davis.

"Drugs have taken away our beloved youngest son and left us with a 
heartache that will never go away. Life as we knew it will never be the same."

Another often unseen aspect of the drug world is the connection to 
organized crime, which impacts all Manitobans, not only in urban 
centres but reaches into every community, regardless of size.

Whether it's directly through loss of property through theft or 
through loss of life due to the violence and addictions linked to 
drugs or indirectly through higher health and insurance costs, we all 
pay the price and feel the impact, RCMP stated.

Manitobans can play a part in making their families and their 
communities safer.

To report suspected drug activity in your community, contact your 
RCMP Detachment or local police service.

If you wish to remain anonymous, call Manitoba Crime Stoppers 
toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom