Moose Jaw Police said Sunday’s methamphetamine bust is just one part of a larger problem.
On Sunday, Moose Jaw Police carried out a search warrant at a house in the 400 block of Grandview Street West. Police said they seized approximately $2,000 worth of methamphetamine.
Two men were arrested, and one has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
In June, Moose Jaw Police made another methamphetamine bust that also resulted in another man being charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
“We’re definitely seeing more incidents where we’re coming across crystal meth,” Cpl. Kevin Pilsworth said.
Cpl. Pilsworth said it’s a trend that comes with easy access.
“It’s more available, and with that (more) people have access to it, and the price also goes down,” Cpl. Pilsworth said.
The Five Hills Health Region (FHHR) said they have also seen an increase in the number of people using crystal meth.
In April 2017, 40 per cent of clients seeking treatment from FHHR’s Mental Health and Addictions Services reported to be using crystal meth.
“We certainly see a wide variety of substances that people are using. Crystal meth is a bit more of an emerging trend in our community over the last couple of years for sure,” Kirsten Clark, Team Lead for Mental Health and Addictions with Child and Youth Services said.
“Crystal meth was sort of one of the ‘further down-the-line’ substances that people would use, although we are seeing a trend where people are using it more quickly than they would have before,” she said.
Clark noted that mostly women were reported to have used crystal meth. Another alarming rate was that half of those who reported to have used crystal meth were between the ages of 16 and 18.
“We’re certainly seeing an increase. We’re certainly seeing the numbers are higher,” Clark added.
“And the shift would also be that we previously didn’t see many of our youth population engaging in those substances, however we have seen a trend in that direction.”
Moose Jaw Police said they are continually fighting a growing challenge.
“(It’s) a real challenge for any police service, including our own,” Cpl. Pilsworth said.
“And what we’re trying to do, like the rest of the police services in the province, is we’re trying to respond when and where we can with the resources that we have.”
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