The sale and use of illicit drugs is a major concern of residents of Lloydminster. Many communities are finding more and more that someone in their community may be growing or selling drugs. Over 1/3 of polled residents (IPSOS April 2008) reported seeing the sale of drugs in
their neighbourhoods or the city on a semi-regular basis.

 

Do you think, or know of, someone who may be growing
or selling drugs in your community?

Some tell-tale signs can be:

• frequent visitors at all times of the day and night
• frequent late night activity
• windows blackened or curtains always drawn
• visitors with expensive vehicles
• unfriendly people who appear to be secretive about their activities
• people watching cars suspiciously as they pass by
• extensive investment in home security
• strange odours coming from the house or garbage
• garbage that contains numerous bottles and containers, particularly chemical containers
• putting garbage out in another neightbours' collection area
  

Alone, any of these activities or signs may not necessarily mean that drug dealing, drug producing, or substance abuse are occurring on a property. However, a frequency of the above activities or a combination of them occurring may indicate a problem.

The sale and use of illegal drugs causes many problems, not only in large urban centers, but
also smaller cities, too.

Some of the side-effects of the drug trade in communities can be:

• an increase in the occurrence of theft (B&E’s)
• increased violence
• lowered property values
• and the loss of a feeling of safety and security.
  

What can you do?

If you think you know of someone who is growing, making, or selling drugs in your community, tell the local police (Lloydminster RCMP Detachment), or you can call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477). You can even submit a Tip online using the "Submit a Tip" feature located on the Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers website www.saskcrimestoppers.com or Northern Alberta Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.ca.

If you suspect someone is involved in a local drug trade, please do not put yourself in a situation where you can be harmed. Observation from a distance is important. Note the address or location where the selling or growing of drugs takes place. Be able to provide a description of the residence or location.

Observe the owner or suspected grower/seller:

• What does he or she look like (physical description)?
• What kind of vehicle(s) do they drive (make/model/colour/license plate number)?
• Who do they hang around with (names, descriptions, vehicles)?

Again, do not do anything that could potentially bring harm to yourself. Let the police handle the investigations!

Working together, citizens, local police, Crime Stoppers and the Lloydminster Area Drug Strategy, we can all help make our neighbourhoods safer and drug free.