DRUGS AND VICE IN YORK REGION

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DRUGS AND VICEIN YORK REGION

• Inspector Richard Crabtree
• Detective Sergeant Brian Bigras
• Detective Sergeant Dieter Boeheim
• Sergeant Sarah Riddell
• March 25, 2009

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PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

• Vice Team
• Drugs
• Global, National, Regional Outlook
• Impact on our Community
• Production in York Region
• Drug Strategy
• Prevention /Enforcement /Treatment
• Family Impact
• QA

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VICE TEAM

• Commercial sex crimes
• Massage Parlours
• Adult Entertainment Establishments
• Gambling
• Dog / Cockfighting

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GLOBAL OUTLOOK

• Value of global illicit drug market is 430
  billion
• Afghanistan cultivates 93 of world opium poppy
• Peru/Columbia/Bolivia account for 98 of the
  worlds coca cultivation and production

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GATEWAYS TO CANADA

• Drugs are imported / exported into Canada
  through
• Land border crossings
• Marine Ports
• Airports

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CONCEALMENT METHODS
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IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY

• Drug production, drug trafficking and drug use
  threatens the safety and security of our
  communities
• Drugs sold on our streets foster criminality and
  violence
• Home invasions, break and enters and thefts
• Destructive family environments

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LOCAL PRODUCTION

• Cannabis Marihuana
• MDMA (Ecstasy)
• Methamphetamine
• Precursor chemicals for illicit
• synthetic drugs
• CLASS A
• 1 MDP2P
• 2 EUPHEDRINE
• CLASS B
• Acetone
• Hydrochloric Acid
• Methwatch

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DRUGS IN YORK REGION

• Increase in Neighbourhood Drug Factories
• Outdoor Marihuana Grow Operations
• Indoor Marihuana Grow Operations
• Clandestine Ecstasy Labs
• Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs

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YORK REGION OUTDOOR GROW OPERATIONS

• Rural Areas
• Georgina
• East Gwillimbury
• Township of King

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YORK REGION INDOOR GROW OPERATIONS
12
.

• Residents only attend the home for short periods
  of time
• The exterior appearance of the property is untidy
• Entry is often made into the house through the
  garage
• Hydro meters maybe tampered with
• Sounds of construction during odd hours

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GROW OPS

• HAZARDS
• Fire Electrical Hazards
• Mould
• Fertilizers/ Chemicals
• Structural Integrity
• COMMUNITY IMPACT
• Criminal Element
• Home Resale
• Mortgage Fraud

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FACTS ABOUT MARIHUANA

• One of the most widely used drugs in North
  America, ranks second after alcohol.
• 93 of Canadians dont use illegal drugs, 75
  never tried drugs
• Young people receive confusing messages

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TODAYS CANNABIS MARIHUANA
A Plant on Steroids

• THC Tetrahydrocannabinol
• Psychoactive substance
• THC levels have increased dramatically
• 1960s 3
• Today 10 15
• Up to 30

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ECSTASY LABS IN YORK REGION
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MDMAECSTASY

• Synthetic drugs (rave, dance club drug)
• Tablet form prescription appearance
• Not governed by pharmaceutical regulations
• Produced with highly toxic chemicals
• Often laced with methamphetamine (highly
  addictive)

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SYNTHETIC DRUG LABS

• Hazards
• Fire
• Explosions
• Chemicals

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ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTIONPRODUCED

• 1 lbs Meth 6lbs toxic waste
• 1 lbs MDMA 12 lbs toxic waste

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LEGAL BUT DANGEROUS
Salvia
1oz 16.94 4oz 54.45 8oz 102.85 1kg 290.40
Jimsonweed (Datura Stramonium)

• Mazatec Indians in spiritual ceremonies
• Chewed or Smoked
• 45 min 1 hour hallucinogenic
• Similar to LSD
• Altered time/distance, nausea, feelings of fear,
  terror panic, loss of muscle control balance
• Internet Corner Stores

• Three boys hospitalized in critical condition
• Toxic common weed
• Confusion, delusion, hallucinations
• Unpleasant Terrifying
• Dilated pupils, rapid heart rate, flushed face,
  warm dry skin, slowed digestion
• Hypothermia, coma, respiratory arrest, seizures

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NATIONAL ANTI-DRUG STRATEGY

• Prevention
• Enforcement
• Treatment

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2007 ONTARIO STUDENT DRUGUSE AND HEALTH SURVEY

• Self-administered and anonymous
• Surveying drug usage over the last year
• Students in Grade 7 12
• Included
• 6,000 students
• 43 school boards
• 119 schools

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SURVEY RESULTS

• Most commonly used drug is alcohol
• 44 of Grade 12 students used marihuana over the
  past year
• One in seven students reports using cannabis
  frequently
• 23 of students used opioid pain relievers for
  non-medical purposes (Codeine, Percocet, Tylenol
  3)
• 29 have used at least one illicit drug in the
  past year

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WHAT YORK REGIONAL POLICE IS DOING
Prevention Through Education

• Whole school approach
• Grade 1 5 Character Education
• Grade 6 8 Youth Education Officers
• Grade 9 12 School Resource Officers
• Parent and Community Forums

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WHAT YORK REGIONAL POLICE IS DOING
Intervention

• Mentoring Programs
• Summer Camps
• York Regional Police Community Referral Program
• Community Liaison Officers
• Gang Crime Prevention Officers
• Youth Forums

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SUBSTANCE ABUSE RISK FACTORS

• Struggling with mental health issues
• Experimenting at an early age
• Positive expectations of drugs along with easy
  access
• Belonging to a family that struggles with drug
  abuse
• Permissive attitudes about drugs
• Living in a stressful or unsupportive home
  environment
• Parents with unclear rules, poor supervision and
  inconsistent discipline

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RESILIENCY FACTORS

• Strong family relationships
• Good community connections
• Church, School, Sports
• Sense of future and purpose
• Good social skills and self-control

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WHAT PARENTS SHOULD LOOK FORPhysical Signs of
Substance Use

• Lack of detail to personal appearance
• Change in energy level
• Eyes red, glassy, watery, lack of clarity, etc.
• Change in skin tone
• Burn marks on fingers or mouth

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WHAT PARENTS SHOULD LOOK FORBehavioural Signs of
Substance Use

• Loss or change in interests
• Loss of or need for money
• Change in peer group
• Isolation from family and friends
• Drug paraphernalia
• Memory loss
• Dropping grades
• Inability to multi-task
• Mood changes

Most Importantly Know your Children
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WHAT TO DO AS A PARENTValues, Reality,
Self-Confidence, Support Supervision

• Prevention
• Accurate information
• Get involved/Stay involved in your childs life
• Meaningful communication
• Build your childs self-esteem
• Set the rules
• Be a role model

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WHAT TO DO AS A PARENT

• Intervention
• Raise the issue
• Describe what you see, allow them to define the
  reason
• Solve problems together
• Know your options

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES

• Center for Addiction and Mental Health
• www.camh.net
• York Region Health Services, Substance Abuse
  Prevention Program
• 1-800-361-5653
• Parent Action on Drugs
• www.parentactionondrugs.org
• Addiction Services for York Region
• 905-841-7007

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YOUTH RESOURCES

• Pathways for Children, Youth Families Home
  Base
• 905-471-7877
• 310-COPE help line
• 905-310-2673
• Kids help phone
• http//kidshelp.sympatico.ca

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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Prevention starts at home
• Get to know your neighbours
• Neighbourhood Watch
• Report suspicious activity
• Crime Stoppers

CRIME STOPPERS 1-800-222-TIPS OR
1-800-222-8477
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS THANK YOU