Several recent events have led police to warn the public to be extra vigilant when partying or consuming alcohol. On March 15 at about 2:30 a.m., police were called to assist several persons with an unconscious female. The 20-year-old female had been at the bar with friends when she complained of feeling funny and believed that something had been slipped in her drink. When friends were walking her home, the female fell and began convulsing. An ambulance was called and the female was taken to hospital where she remained unconscious for some time.

On March 17, Merritt RCMP responded to a residence where a complaint of a female in distress was made. The female’s friends advised that she had been using drugs earlier and then had tried GHB willingly to see what the effects were.

Both files are still under investigation, but police warn that people should be aware and take precautions to ensure that people do not put themselves at risk.

GHB takes effect in 15 to 30 minutes, and the effects last three to six hours. Low doses of GHB produce nausea. At high doses, a GHB overdose can result in:

  • Unconsciousness
  • Seizures
  • Slowed heart rate
  • Greatly slowed breathing
  • Lower body temperature
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Coma
  • Death

If anyone has any information on these incidences or any other they are asked to contact Merritt RCMP or make an anonymous complaint to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Onslaught of tire slashings prompts warning

Over the past few weeks, police have had several calls of tires being slashed in the Merritt area. People in the Diamond Vale area have been hit sometimes more than once in the past few weeks and earlier this past week, RCMP received more information that numerous vehicles at the arena had their tires slashed.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Sheila White said there haven’t been any recent reports of tire slashing, but it seems to be a common crime in Merritt.

White said the Diamond Vale area is a frequent target for tire slashing or puncturing.

“It’s a high-traffic area where there’s a lot of kids and families in that neighbourhood,” White told the Herald.

She said for residents who do not have a garage, it is difficult to protect against this opportunistic crime. She suggests people leave an outside light on or park in a car port if they have one.

She said thieves or vandals tend to shy away from well lit properties.

Police are asking for residents to report any suspicious activity and if anyone has any information on these tire slashings to contact the Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Highway 5 fatality

A Richmond man is dead after a single vehicle crash on Highway 5 on the morning of March 21 about 25 kilometres south of Merritt.

The 66-year-old driver of a Chevrolet pickup was travelling northbound when he lost control of the vehicle, which crossed the centre median and encroached into the southbound lanes rolling, then came to rest on its roof.

Members of Central Interior Traffic Services responded at 7:40 a.m. and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.