INDIAN BROOK TARGETS DRUG PROBLEM

INDIAN BROOK -- Crack cocaine dealers here have every reason to feel a
little paranoid these days.

The RCMP and an increasing number of fed-up residents of this First
Nations community are joining forces to crack down on drug addictions
that are fuelling property crimes, violence, suicide and despair.

Chief Alex McDonald wants to ban drugs from the reserve altogether and
expel convicted dealers for at least a year.

"The drugs they're selling are hurting their own people," Chief
McDonald said this week, his voice taking on an angry edge.

"We have a serious pill, needle, crack cocaine and heavy drug problem
here. We've tried different programs but we need to be more strict."

The chief said he raised the idea of a drug moratorium with the band
council in the past. Although he didn't get approval, he's not giving
up hope.

"The people want to get rid of the drugs," he said, blaming the
worsening situation in part on a few people who got out of prison a
few years ago and brought the drug culture to the community of 1,200.

He's also angry with doctors who he says write too many inappropriate
prescriptions.

"When I was a young fellow in Shubie we didn't have this trouble. You
could leave your doors open, but not anymore."

There have been at least three high-profile raids and arrests in
Indian Brook in the past two months. The first was in November when
25-year-old Timothy Lawrence Nevin was sentenced to two years in
penitentiary for possessing crack for trafficking.

"That motivated a lot of people to come forward and recognize
something can be done in the community," said Sgt. Darren Malcolm,
head of the Indian Brook RCMP detachment.

"It's really making a fairly dramatic difference. The crack supply in
the community has been much more dry in the past couple of weeks."

This week, 19-year-old Drew Phillip Maloney was charged with
possessing crack for trafficking and will be back in court in January.

And a Dec. 9 raid resulted in the arrests of four people. They haven't
been charged but the investigation continues.

Sgt. Malcolm said the community is trying to take back control and the
campaign is gaining momentum. The force is getting a record number of
tips from the public, he said.

Sgt. Malcolm was enthusiastic when he talked about a recent Addictions
Week rally attended by 100 people who paraded through the community
shouting "Say No to Crack!"

Police and community leaders are trying to balance enforcement with
educating young people about the dangers of drugs.

Historically the RCMP detachment here has had five officers, but the
increase in crimes associated with substance abuse drove that number
to seven.

Sgt. Malcolm, who has been here for 18 months, said substance abuse
appears to be a symptom of other issues, be they physical and sexual
abuse or violence.

"There's a lot of pain and suffering here. It's up to the community to
have a hard look at itself and ask why so many people are turning to
drugs and harming themselves."

The sergeant said the community should be proud of itself for helping
police.

"The message to the people who want to sell crack is you're taking a
chance. If you sell, there's a good chance you'll get caught and go to
jail."