Winnipeg authorities started a full-scale investigation into city`s meth problem. As per Winnipeg Police, there is a spike in meth-related crime incidents, like property theft, residential break-ins, unreasonable anger towards each other (meth users) and other people around them, violent attacks, some ending up in lethal outcomes for victims.
On Saturday, February 2nd Winnipeg police officers spotted the stolen truck in the area of Keewatin Street and Pacific Avenue. When officers approached a vehicle, a young Winnipeg woman allegedly tried to flee and hit two cars, including a police cruiser, and a tree.
The driver immediately put the vehicle in reverse and smashed into a vehicle parked behind it. A woman was arrested after a short foot chase close to where the incident occurred.
While searching the vehicle and her person, police found a machete, a knife, a hatchet, and $170 worth of meth. A 28-year-old Courtney Marie Friesen remains in police custody and faces multiple charges.
Methamphetamine is a real problem in Canada, the majority of people involved are youth and older teenagers. There is a study conducted by Winnipeg Police department about how people on meth are no longer productive, so they have to find other ways to get money to fuel their addiction and get more drugs. People on meth turn to pity theft and other, more serious crimes. Bike theft, residential break-ins, garage theft is now a rising problem in the city.
Health Minister Cameron Friesen promised a plan to overcome the local methamphetamine crisis in October, but on Tuesday morning, a report from a new task force to combat drug trafficking said the plan would not be available to the public until June 2019.
The three-level task force includes provincial, federal, and municipal leaders who will jointly respond to the rapid increase in the use and distribution of methamphetamine throughout the province.
“The problems associated with illicit drug use destroy families, damage communities, cross borders of all jurisdictions and require a joint and coordinated response from all levels of government,” says Frisen.
Winnipeg is expecting a comprehensive anti-drug strategic plan, as the methamphetamine consumption increased significantly.