On pace for 45 times the amount seized in 2014
If the volume of methamphetamine seized in the first two months of this year continues, we have an alarming situation, says Medicine Hat Police Service.
Thirty ounces of methamphetamine were seized in January and February. If police continue to see an average of 15 ounces seized each month, it would be 180 ounces by the end of the year.
“It would be the most we have ever seized in the history of the city, which is alarming,” said Insp. Brent Secondiak. “Over the last two years, methamphetamine has been trending up.”
In 2016, 42 ounces were seized. In 2015, nine ounces and in 2014, 4.2 ounces.
“We have seen a huge increase in property crime as well,” said Secondiak. “It is absolutely connected to this ... to feed their addiction.”
Methamphetamine is more addictive than cocaine. Its users become more irrational and the “high” lasts longer, said Secondiak. It is also rather easy to obtain. Much of what is sold locally comes from Calgary and B.C.
Methamphetamine, which costs $100 a gram, is typically sold in points. One point being equal to a 10th of a gram, said Secondiak. How much someone uses at any one time depends on how long they have been using the drug and whether they have built up a tolerance. Typically it is one or two 10ths of a gram at a time — costing $10 or $20. Methamphetamine is a stimulant giving a high that can last two, three or even four days without sleeping, said Secondiak. When they want to come down off that high they typically choose an opioid such as fentanyl.
“It is extremely dangerous,” said Secondiak.
About 50 per cent of clients at Medicine Hat Recovery Centre use multiple substances, and 25 per cent identify with methamphetamine, said manager Debbie Vass.
“We know there is an increase in the number of people self-reporting the use with methamphetamine,” said Vass. “We’ve seen that go up significantly.”
MHPS is addressing the issue on a number of levels, including targeting high-end traffickers.
“We’ve hit some of the biggest methamphetamine traffickers in the city and seized large amounts of methamphetamine,” said Secondiak. “As we arrest them, more emerge.”
Getting the message out to the general public is another focus. A group from Calgary visited local schools and a recovering methamphetamine addict spoke to students, said Secondiak. There was also an opportunity for the general public to attend an information session at the Esplanade.
“We’ve realized it is not all about enforcement,” said Secondiak. “We have to really be leaders in the city and try to combat this with education, prevention and awareness strategies with AHS.”