Alberta Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer has been working closely with his federal counterparts in the last few months working out changes to their rural crime strategy.

He's combining it with what he learned during last Fall's rural crime tour.

Schweitzer says the number one issue leading to the explosion in rural crime is drugs.

"Rural crime particularly in Alberta and across the Prairies is being driven primarily by meth. It's a really dangerous drug that causes people to behave that's far more aggressive, they're more likely to steal property. So really we want to make sure we have a meth strategy as well. Because a lot of these drugs are coming in from outside the country."

Schweitzer says they need Ottawa's help to stop the flow of drugs.

"Some of this stuff is beyond Alberta's borders. Like, drugs have no borders. So they're coming in from outside the country so we need to work with the federal government to find a way to clamp down and get meth in particular, off the streets. So that's really key."

He says not only do they need to reduce the amount of drugs out there but help those addicted.

"We also need to provide treatment for these people. So that's why we've expanded the scope of drug treatment courts. We just made an announcement about opening up one in Lethbridge. We're going to try and get them into other mid-size centers across the province, to make sure that we have treatment options as well for those struggling with addictions."

Schweitzer is chairing a committee with Public Safety Canada to create a national strategy on rural crime that will likely lead to criminal code changes and changes to enforcement to prevent crime in smaller centers and communities.

 

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