In April, the Alberta RCMP met with partners from law enforcement, health, and the provincial government to discuss concerns around the use of opioids.
In response, the Alberta RCMP launched new Community Response Teams with support from partner agencies, an RCMP news release said.
Combating drug and fentanyl-related crimes is part of the Alberta RCMP’s Crime Reduction Strategy, Data 2 Action (D2A), current focus.
The strategy focuses on targeted prevention, apprehension, suppression, and offender management.
The framework is aimed at tackling crime by providing local partners and specialized agencies with the resources needed to develop strategies in response to specific community needs.
“The Alberta RCMP is committed to doing all we can to reduce the risk of opioids in our communities, but it isn’t just a police problem,” said Mike McCauley, Alberta RCMP Crime Reduction Strategy Superintendent. “Working with our partner agencies, we can develop a fulsome approach to address the underlying issues that lead to crime and the use of illegal fentanyl in our communities.”
The Alberta RCMP will work with ALERT, Edmonton Police Services, Calgary Police Services, Canada Border Services Agency, Alberta Crown Prosecution Services, Alberta Probation, Alberta Sheriffs, Alberta Association of Community, Peace Officers, Canada Post, Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta, Recovery Alberta, the Canadian Center of Recovery Excellence, and the Government of Alberta.
Partner agencies will work with frontline members and community partners to address the causes of crime in a comprehensive, data-driven, and targeted approach.
Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, there were 87 cases where fentanyl was seized, and 36 cases where weapons ranging from knives to firearms were also found.
“The misery that is caused to the people of Alberta due to illegal drugs and related crimes cannot be understated,” said Luke Halvorson, Staff Sergeant in charge of Community Safety. “The Alberta RCMP is committed to using every resource available, whether it’s at the detachment level or involves specialized supports like our Community Response Teams, to target the root causes of crime and to meet the danger that fentanyl and the illegal drug trade causes to the well-being of our community.”