Increase in drug-related arrests in Grande Prairie in 2017

Dec 18, 2017 | 4:17 AM

Robberies, vehicle thefts, and all other charges were down in 2017, excluding probation breaches and drug charges.

Superintendent Don McKenna credits the focus from his newly-formed drug unit for the increase in drug and fentanyl-related arrests.

“The members have been working very hard … We have a crime reduction unit and a drug section, and two years ago we had neither,” said McKenna. “That’s the drug unit’s prime focus, is to go out and get drug charges.”

McKenna says the problem persists despite the overdoses that have already occurred.

“Everybody knows how dangerous fentanyl is, and that your next hit could be your last. People know this, and are still willing to take that risk,” he said. “That tells you how awful the addiction problem is for people. “He said getting dealers and users the addiction services they need will also help during the opioid crisis.”

But it is clear that it’s going to take the whole community to combat the opioid crisis.

“There’s not one silver bullet to fix all of the problems. It has to be a joint effort from all of us to combat the problem,” he said. “This isn’t a role for just the police.”

In the new year, McKenna says they will continue to focus on the fentanyl issue, and they are currently involved in a stakeholder opioid task force.

by Jordan Parker