Ottawa's Police Chief says YOUR kids can buy drugs anytime

Gord McDougall
Thursday, November 6, 2008

Ottawa's youth drug problem is out of control.

That's the jarring statement from Ottawa's police chief. Vern White says it's time the people of Ottawa wake up and stop being complacent.

"There's not a grade 7 to 12 student in this city that couldn't buy drugs in about half an hour. Not one!", according to Chief Vern White. Speaking at a panel discussion for Crime Prevention Week, the chief says crime rates are going down in every aspect EXCEPT youth violence, and he says there's a connection there. "We have 400-plus young people...on a wait-list for youth drug treatment, residential, in the city of Ottawa", the chief says. "400!"

He continues, "My goal is that people stop being shocked by that number, and instead, say that they're going to do something about it.

Ottawa is getting a youth drug treatment centre, but it's not expected to be open until the end of 2009, and even then, it will only be a 20-bed facility.