Politicians in rural areas must do more to fight a rising number of clandestine drug operations, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities says.

Illegal marijuana grow operations and crystal meth labs have been uncovered during the past year in a number of communities, ranging from Stead to Arden, Beausejour to Belmont, and La Salle to Oak Lake.

Joe Masi, the executive director of the municipalities association, said the issue will be raised when rural mayors and councillors meet at the group's annual convention in Winnipeg on Nov. 27-30.

Masi said Tuesday that municipalities need to take a more aggressive role in fighting drug crimes.

He also said many new rural politicians who were elected in provincewide municipal elections in October will need to be educated on how to spot clandestine drug operations in their communities.

"All of these issues now are becoming more and more of a concern for municipal councils, and we felt with so many new people now being elected for the first time, we're hoping to at least educate them in that they do have a role to play," he said.

"Crime and justice issues are going to be a municipal responsibility at the end of the day, and if you're elected to council you have an obligation to get involved in these issues. It isn't just water, sewer [and] roads."

Masi said that investigating drug operations can be very time-consuming for the RCMP in rural areas.

Since municipalities foot part of the RCMP's policing costs, Masi said it would be in their best interests to establish closer relationships with police to help identify drug operations.

He added that local councils should become more involved in starting or maintaining preventative measures, such as recreation programs, to keep young people away from the drug trade.