Pubdate: Thu, 30 Apr 2015
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Liz Monteiro
Page: B2

COCAINE, METH REMAIN DRUGS OF CHOICE

Fentanyl joining the deadly mix of prescription medication police are
finding in abundance in region

WATERLOO REGION - Cocaine, methamphetamine and a list of prescription
drugs continue to be the drugs of choice among users and dealers in
Waterloo Region.

But another drug that has been causing havoc in bigger cities across
the country is the potent opiate - fentanyl.

Waterloo Regional Police say fentanyl is available locally and in one
case a dealer was selling heroin laced with fentanyl.

Fentanyl is prescribed as a painkiller, and the strong opioid is used
by cancer patients. It has become a popular illicit drug. Street users
chew or smoke pieces of the time-release patches.

Det. Const. Louise Stemmler said a patch of fentanyl can be cut up
into 100 squares, with a couple of squares selling for $10.

It's difficult to know or control how much is ingested when the patch
is cut up into pieces, she said.

While some drugs such as heroin and cocaine come from source
countries, methamphetamine can be made in a kitchen. Meth is often
sold as crystal, looking like shards of glass.

"You wouldn't eat a sandwich made at the place where they are making
this stuff," Stemmler said.

Stemmler said meth users love their high so much that they aren't
motivated to quit the habit.

"One user tells me she loves it. She is so trapped, she can't get
out," she said.

Police said they are seeing a new form of drug trafficking through
social media. Stemmler said chat forums where discussions on drugs are
held are popular.

"They are experimenting with drugs and users are looking for a high
that lasts longer," she said.

Insp. Dave Bishop said police projects are effective in getting some
dealers off the streets but there are always others ready to fill the
gap.

"You won't shut it down. It's a rotating door," he said. "But we can
make it harder to get in the drug scene and make them paranoid."

Last fall, officers participated in Project Zamboni, a crackdown on
methamphetamine trafficking.

For about two months, undercover police officers targeted street-level
dealers pushing the highly addictive drug.

Fourteen people were arrested and 65 charges laid. Police seized more
than $10,000 worth of meth, cocaine, hydromorphone pills, oxycodone
pills and marijuana.

Hydromorphone is an opioid painkiller commonly known as Dilaudid, a
prescription medication.
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