The latest Statistics Canada wastewater results indicate that Prince Albert has disproportionately high levels of both meth and cocaine flowing through the community.

For reference, Prince Albert’s cocaine metabolites show 5,296. Saskatoon is at 1,774 and Halifax is ranked third at 1,733. When it comes to meth, PA’s numbers showed the highest values at 2,002. Saskatoon was 957 and the third highest was Edmonton at 624.

PA Police Chief Patrick Nogier says the data identifies that there are both a demand and a supply for drugs in the area, but it will take deeper analysis to determine what’s causing the demand.

“Depending on what demographic is using it, you may be using it for similar types of circumstances, trying to get through your day-to-day life. Whether or not those are pressures associated to schooling or an educational background that you’re pursuing, or the rigors of a job, or whether or not it’s street life.”

Nogier says the data validates the efforts police have been put into minimizing the impact of illicit drugs.

However, he says more can be done, especially now, as new field detection devices will make a huge difference. He says they are able to give law enforcement a more quick, accurate picture of what types of drugs are on the streets.

“There’s also the analytical component on the back end that’ll help us piece together where drugs are traveling across our country. We need to be better connected in that information flow. We need to be able to do a deeper drive into the synthetic makeup of a drug and the compounds going into drugs, and new technology allows us to do that.”

Although the data helps identify concerns, Nogier says it falls short of accurately comparing different municipalities across the prairie provinces.

He adds that it’s important not to make assumptions about which demographics are using the drugs, as evidence suggests usage could be from a mix of individuals, such as white collar, blue collar, and those on the streets.