Is It Time To Legalize And Give Away Methamphetamine At Consumption Sites To Reduce Crime & Deaths?

(PERTH COUNTY, ON) – Methamphetamine is a poison, and it is hurting our communities. In an effort to bring awareness to the issue, Crime Stoppers Canada, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and police services across Canada have launched a national public awareness campaign to help educate the public about the negative impacts of methamphetamine and how it poses a threat to the safety and well-being of our communities. 

Did you know?

• Many Canadian law enforcement agencies have identified an increase in the use, trafficking, importation and production of methamphetamine.
• Methamphetamine has emerged as one of the most significant commodities within organized crime; entrenched from production, to importation and distribution.
• The production of one kilogram of methamphetamine produces about six kilograms of toxic waste. This waste is usually disposed of through illegal dumping resulting in environmental contamination and health hazards for the public.

For more than a decade, the Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has been investigating methamphetamine in our community, and it is now currently one of the most prevalent substances in the Canadian illicit drug market.

Methamphetamine brings an increase in substance use disorders, violence, property crimes, and jeopardizes overall safety. The link between property crime and substance abuse is strong – police often seize drugs during property crime investigations, and recover stolen property during drug investigations.

Break and enters, stolen vehicles, and thefts are often committed by people desperate for money in order to buy more methamphetamine or other illegal substances. Stolen vehicles can be used to commit other crimes, including break and enters, or driving offences, such as impaired driving (by drugs and/or alcohol). Stolen vehicles also pose a risk to the public when drivers flee from police, driving in a dangerous manner in order to evade arrest.

The Perth County OPP is continuously collaborating with local health agencies and community partners in order to educate the public on the dangers associated to methamphetamine use. Over the past three years, Perth County OPP School Resource Officers and Choices for Change Youth Counsellors have delivered presentations to all Grade 9 classes at Listowel District Secondary School and Mitchell District High School on the impacts of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

We need your help. If you see the signs, make the call. The Perth County OPP is appealing to the public to assist with these investigations. Citizens who have information are being asked to stand up, and speak out. Reporting is easy, and it could make the difference.

“Unfortunately, the prevalence of methamphetamine in our communities remains a cause for concern. Individuals with an addiction to methamphetamine are often engaged in criminal activity to sustain their level of dependence. Additionally, they often suffer from severe health implications, and strained family relationships. The Perth County OPP continues to investigate drug related offences, and requests the assistance of community members in immediately reporting any suspicious activity to police.” – A/Inspector Dave Sinko, Detachment Commander, Perth County OPP

For more information on this campaign, search the hashtag #MethHurtsCommunities on Twitter.

Anyone with information regarding methamphetamine distribution or production is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or online at www.opp.ca/reporting. Should you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.P3tips.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.