By Spencer Sterritt

Police breakdown continued rise of crystal meth

Mar 17, 2016 | 6:18 AM

There was no way around the rise of crystal meth in Prince Albert during a conference with Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) chief Troy Cooper about 2015 crime statistics.

Currently, 37 per cent of the drug seizures so far in 2016 have been related to crystal meth, and Cooper said the drug is influencing other crimes in the city, such as shoplifting, bear spray attacks and other acts of violence.

“We’re challenged by drugs related to poverty. Crystal meth is the perfect fit for that. It’s a cheap drug and it’s long lasting, so the sex trade and street level users are moving towards the drug.”

Cooper said PAPS increased their drug enforcement efforts by 12.6 per cent to combat crystal meth. In 2014 it had only contributed to 24 per cent of drug seizures. Integration between the Major Crimes Unit and the street level units is now a focus to control the influx of the drug.

He said the crystal meth is not being manufactured locally, and police need to deal with drug trafficking both within and without the city. Police received numerous calls about drug usage in the downtown district, such as needles being found or people shooting up, but discovered most trafficking and possession was done elsewhere.

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There was a 51.6 per cent decrease in possession charges downtown, compared to the 47.1 per cent increase in the West Hill, the 16.7 per cent increase in the West Flat, and the 100 per cent increase in the East Flat. All areas of the city, except for the East Hill, had a higher number of drug possession cases than downtown.

Trafficking charges rose 37.5 per cent downtown, compared to the 64.3 per cent increase in the West Flat. The increase was smaller on the West Hill, and trafficking charges in the West Flat decreased 5.3 per cent.

There were still more incidences of drug trafficking in all areas of the city except for the East Hill, when compared to downtown.

When asked about the increase in weapon charges and incidents, such as the recent bear spray attacks at Carlton Comprehensive Public High School, Cooper said it is “hand-in-glove” with crystal meth and the drug trade. “People (are) preparing to protect themselves.”

As well, crystal meth and increasing drug usage can be tied to increased addictions based fraud.

All of Prince Albert’s 2015 crime statistics can be found on the PAPS website.

ssterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit