Methamphetamines a Growing Concern in Kodiak

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT

Drug-related arrests are on the rise in Kodiak. That information comes from Police Chief T.C. Kamai who said 2012 had some of the highest numbers of drug investigations by the police department.

The arrests have continued into 2013, with a handful of drug busts occurring in January. Kamai said the increase in arrests could mean higher usage, but he also said community awareness and a larger number of anonymous reports to the police department have played a significant role in investigation numbers.

— (Meth Increase 2 :16 “We’ve seen increased … data tends to support that.”)

Marijuana and cocaine continue to be drugs of concern in Kodiak, but Kamai said many of the arrests have centered on methamphetamines.

— (Meth Increase 3 :18 “A lot of the conversations … than years past.”)

Kamai said the increased popularity of methamphetamines, commonly referred to as meth, is anyone’s guess. He said it’s only speculation, but there could be a number of contributing factors.

— (Meth Increase 4 :15 “I think it might be a … be a factor in that as well.”)

He said a variety of local organizations will host a meth forum later this month to provide information about the drug and ways to prevent it from spreading in the community. Kamai will be one of the presenters at that forum.

In general, he encourages residents to continue reporting any criminal activity and those struggling with substance abuse to seek out help from local recovery institutions and especially from their personal healthcare provider.

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