If he was an adult he would be facing significant jail time, but a young offender facing his third drug trafficking charge will likely get nothing more than probation in Okotoks court this week.
This young man’s case is an example of the systemic problems facing the “war against drugs” in Okotoks.
First, the Okotoks RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) is proving worthwhile in curbing drugs in the community and the Town of Okotoks council should make funding this program a priority.
The 16-year-old Okotoks teen was in court this week after being arrested for allegedly selling cocaine in the town by members of the CRU unit.
However, in the 2013 operations budget council decided not to fund an additional officer for the Okotoks RCMP at a cost of about $134,000. Instead council elected to fund another municipal enforcement officer at about $70,000 per year.
The only reason the CRU is operating in Okotoks is because the detachment is currently overstaffed. Three officers are awaiting transfer and once they are moved Okotoks will not have the manpower to operate the CRU without an additional officer.
Council said it would revisit the issue next year.
Town council should fund the CRU to send a clear message to would-be drug dealers — if you operate in Okotoks you will be caught.
Okotoks is known by many name amongst local youths, including Smokotoks and Tokotoks. Are these monikers we really want in our community?
With sufficient funding the CRU would be able to continue its crackdown on drugs, which is likely a higher priority for Okotokians compared to stopping speeders and finding unlicenced dogs.
Second, there must be more substantial penalties for young offenders who are chronic dealers.
Despite a third arrest for this Okotoks teen he will likely be released on probation, which is hardly a deterrent for a repeat offender who is clearly not concerned with being punished.
Adults are using these young people as their dealers because they know the punishment dolled out to youth is inconsequential compared to what they would face if caught.
It is making a mockery of the judicial system.
The young drug dealer should be getting a dose of cold reality by spending this Christmas, and perhaps the next, in jail not at home in bed.
If there is any hope of stemming the drug issue dealers must see not only will they be caught there will be repercussions regardless of age.
