As crime drops in London, one offence is stubbornly bucking the trend in some areas of the city and defying its nationwide decline.

Police believe they know what’s driving that.

Relentless reports of thefts from vehicles downtown seem to correlate with crystal meth addiction that’s taking a heavy toll on the health of many Londoners, police say.

“There appears to be a correlation between the increased use of crystal meth and the increase in these offences,” police said in 2015 crime statistics presented to the police services board Thursday.

Overall, thefts from vehicles did decrease last year in the city.

But that was due mainly to a decline in the White Oaks and Masonville areas, since vehicle break-ins remained rampant in the city’s core, police said.

Police identified 28 “prolific offenders” while investigating thefts from vehicles.

Of those, all but one were addicted to crystal methamphetamine and hydromorphone, the report says.

Strong and highly addictive, and a growing scourge in many cities, crystal meth is a form of methamphetamine commonly made in illegal labs.

Its link to petty crime is just the latest in a long list of effects the street drug has had in London.

The drug gained a London foothold after OxyContin opioid pills, another popular street drug, were taken off the market in 2012, outreach workers say. Studies at the time showed London had Ontario’s highest per-capita opioid use and overdoses were off the charts.

With Oxy no longer easily available, addicts turned to cheaper, easy-to-get crystal meth, observers say.

Alcoholics also have turned to the drug, because it’s so cheap and easy to get in London, they say.

Health, addiction and social workers have grappled with how to support crystal meth addicts.

In the last year, some agencies have changed how they accept those in need. At least one emergency shelter cut the number of beds it offered as staff and volunteers learned how to help those high on crystal meth while still supporting other clients.

In London last year, the ratio of those charged with meth-related offences ran to more than 28 people per 100,000, compared to 17 people per 100,000 in Windsor and nine per 100,000 in Hamilton.

Deputy Chief Daryl Longworth acknowledged there are manycharges related to the drug, and said the force is trying to focus more on those on “higher levels that are actually bringing in” crystal meth.

“(Officers are) trying to keep the focus on where it’s coming from, and not just target the users,” he said.

“Unfortunately, what we see a lot of with users is those who are suffering from addiction.”

Police statistics also showed a spike in charges related to possessing crystal meth last year, second only to those involving cannabis.

“That is concerning. I’d like to see us as a community have a strategy and readiness to address (crystal meth addiction), plus drug use in the community in general,” said Coun. Stephen Turner, a police board member.

Unlike opioids, which are depressants that slow down the body, including breathing, crystal meth is a stimulant. It alters the brain’s neurotransmitters, causing a euphoric feeling. It also packs serious side-effects, including anxiety, paranoia, seizures and stroke-like symptoms.

The federal Justice Department has long identified a link between crystal meth addiction and community crime, both violent and petty.

A 2007 report on the government’s website says “high-speed pursuits, property crimes and identity thefts,” increase where crystal meth use is prevalent.

The report says many such crimes are committed to get money to feed drug habits, but some crimes — such as dangerous driving, vandalism, assault and threatening behaviour — “appear to be a result of the state that the methamphetamine user is in after consuming the drug.”

jlobrien@postmedia.com

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