Ontario, booby traps like spikes and trip- communities,” he says. “And then there’s
wires await those who venture near mari- ancillary crimes associated to that. In order
juana grows. for folks to sustain their habits we’re seeing
These developments aside, Skeeter direct links to other crimes such as break
Kruger, a provincial constable with Brace- and enter and thefts from vehicles and
bridge OPP, says that in general, the num- theft of property that has some value.
ber of drug “occurrences” the detachment We're also seeing, in some instances, the
investigates are not on the rise. thefts of freezers and the contents of freez-
The term ‘occurrences’ covers a slew of ers. Food is being used as a commodity, so
drug-related incidents from trafficking it easier to trade off food to a supplier to
arrests and simple possession to Crime support your habit, in addition to cash.”
Stoppers tips about drug deals or other Police may not be seeing huge increases
drug related matters. in drug use or drug related violence statis-
Kruger says in 2001, there were 134 tically, but they do admit the drug land-
occurrences, in 2002 there were 133 and scape is slowly changing.
in 2003 there were 124. In 2004, there Ecstacy, OxyContin and cocaine are
were 110, in 2005 there were 151 and in becoming more common, which leads
2006 there were 187. In 2007 there were police to suspect other drugs are creeping
158 and so far this year, there have been into the local scene under the radar.
129. Kruger explains how some drugs, like
Kruger says the majority of local posses- methamphetamine, are coming in
sion and trafficking charges involve through the back door.
cannabis. Next up comes the increasingly “Locally, there is some evidence that
popular prescription drugs like OxyCon- marijuana has been laced with even small
tin. amounts of the meth,” he says. “I’m also
“I see alcohol, I see cannabis, then I see
cho
aware of a couple of circumstances where
on E
prescription drugs,” says Kruger, adding it may have been laced with cocaine or
that to police, cocaine related occurrences ecstacy.”
remain relatively low despite its increasing
the Haliburt
of
Kruger says some of the evidence point-
popularity among area youth. esy ing in this direction is that local officers are
As the detachment’s high school liaison noticing physical differences in some
officer, Kruger says he’s only seen one aph: Court known local pot users.
occurrence first-hand where cocaine made
ogr
“Some of the evidence that we’re get-
Phot
its way into a local high school. ting, to show that meth may be laced in
“One group of students startled other Police take to the skies to ferret out marijuana fields. The OPP warn that marijuana, is that some regular marijuana
students who were using in the bathroom,
increasingly, these fields are being guarded by criminals.
users who officers know are developing
and the stuff was left behind in the bath- sores and open sores around their mouth
room,” he says. kids who want their marijuana right now. “I’ve actually had kids say, ‘It’s so people area, which is similar to use of metham-
In terms of crimes related to drug use, Maybe they are stealing cash from Mom don’t take my stuff. It’s for my protection,” phetamine,” he says.
Kruger says it can be hard to link them to or Dad or maybe a novelty item from says Kruger. “But it’s a very small percent- Helen, a local drug user who asked that
drugs. Grandma or Grandpa to hock in order to age.” we give her a pseudonym, says cocaine is
Some so called “lighter crimes” might continue the habit.” While Kruger spoke to the difficulty of readily available.
be indicative of youth drug activity, Weapons related to drug use are also not linking crimes with drug use, Inspector “I can get it any time any day,” she says.
though. as common in Muskoka as in other areas, Medved says other clear links can be made. “Everyone I know is crackheads. I have
“Usually it’s a small percentage of although Kruger has encountered some “Crack cocaine, pills, certainly Oxy- about eight dealers between Huntsville
crimes,” says Kruger, “particularly with the high school youths with knives. Contin is starting to proliferate in the and Dorset. I have them all the way down
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