Pubdate: Wed, 26 Feb 2014
Source: Nelson Star (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/nelsonstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4866
Author: Kirsten Hildebrand

METH USE APPEARS IN NELSON

Violent Episodes Drug Related in Neighbouring Castlegar

Nelson police took note of two violent episodes in Castlegar earlier 
this week, both believed to be related to methamphetamine use - a 
drug that's started appearing on Nelson streets.

Deputy Chief Paul Burkart with Nelson Police Department said his 
officers encounter people under the influence of meth more than they used to.

"Most communities in the Kootenays have seen an increased use of the 
hard core drugs over the past number of years," he said. "Nelson has 
not been exposed to that problem to the same extent as many of the 
communities. This however is slowly changing."

In an undercover sting operation last summer, a total of fifteen 
individuals were charged with trafficking and trafficking related 
offences. During this operation, marijuana, cocaine, GHB, morphine, 
ketamine, ecstasy, LSD (acid) and methamphetamine were found.

"Although some of these drugs have been in and around Nelson for 
years, we were surprised by some of the types of drugs that were 
available and the ease in which our operators were able to purchase 
these drugs," said Burkart. "And although marijuana is on the list, 
over 80 per cent of the charges laid were associated to the harder drugs."

"And this is the first time in the history of our many drug 
operations undertaken by our department that we have purchased 
methamphetamines," he said.

The first incident occurring in Castlegar happened at 5:30 a.m. on 
February 16. Police were called to the West Kootenay Airport because 
of a man carrying a pipe and blanket acting violently toward people 
in the parking lot.

"Before police arrived, another man drove into the parking lot and 
opened his passenger side window to speak to the male," described 
RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew. "The male lunged into the passenger side of 
the truck and stabbed the driver in the face with metal wire snips, 
causing serious injury."

When the victim exited his vehicle, the suspect got into the driver's 
seat. The original complainant saw that the man appeared to be 
stealing the victim's truck so he rammed the front with his own 
vehicle to stop the suspect from fleeing.

"The vehicle began rolling down the hill, and struck the police car 
as the officer arrived," reported Mathew.

The 63-year-old man who was stabbed was transported to Kelowna 
hospital with serious facial injuries.

Further investigation revealed that 10 vehicles parked at the airport 
had been broken into and/or damaged. A 28-year-old Castlegar man, 
believed to be under the influence of drugs, appeared in court facing 
several charges stemming from the incident.

Burkart flew out of the Castlegar airport the day after the incident. 
He said people were still talking about the episode.

"Meth does bring that kind of behaviour. This is probably someone who 
is breaking into vehicles to get money or valuables to sell for 
drugs. When he's confronted, he uses a weapon to try and get away," he said.

A few days later, a "sudden rampage" occurred in Castlegar's downtown.

A 37-year-old Lillooet man who was also believed to be under the 
influence of drugs was arrested after an incident in the early 
evening hours on February 18.

"RCMP received several calls of someone in the neighbourhood driving 
a vehicle intentionally into cars that were parked in peoples' 
driveways," said Sgt. Mathew. "The male driver then abandoned his car 
on a lawn and was standing nearby. When a few people tried to 
approach him, he pulled a knife and waved them off."

When Police arrived, the male still had the knife in his possession 
that he eventually dropped. After a "significant" struggle, he was 
taken into custody.

Drugs in possession, including meth, were seized.

Methamphetamine or meth is a synthetic drug that can cause anxiety, 
irritability, aggression and paranoia in high doses. It is highly addictive.

Burkart said if these "toilet drugs" are showing up in Nelson, there 
is reason to be concerned.

"Meth brings along with it a whole new set of problems," he said. 
"Meth is extremely addictive and its users can build up a tolerance 
very quickly. As such, the user needs to use more and more to get the 
high they are looking for."

Another concern with meth is that a meth lab can appear anywhere. The 
items needed to produce meth can be found at your local hardware or 
big box store. The toxic remains of these labs will end up dumped in 
our communities once the cooks are finished.

"In Nelson we certainly have not been overrun by violent calls that 
can come with the use of meth and some of the harder drugs," said 
Burkart. "But are we concerned - yes, as a police department we are 
concerned that these drugs are showing up."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom