Pubdate: Sat, 21 Apr 2001
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoSun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: George Christopoulos

FANTINO - BATTLE DEMAND FOR DRUGS

Battling the demand for drugs is more effective than hiring a squad of beat 
cops, Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino says.

"Our jails are already filled with druggies we've put there," Fantino said 
in response to Councillor Kyle Rae's request for a permanent squad of nine 
officers to battle the growing drug trade plaguing the city's core.

"Fighting drugs is like digging a hole in the Sahara Desert ... the desert 
just keeps on filling up," Fantino said, adding educational and 
motivational programs can go a long way in alerting potential users to the 
dangers of drugs.

In a recent letter to the chief, Rae stressed the need for a full-time 
squad to attack the "chronic problem" of street-level pushers.

He said the drug problem continues to grow because the drug squad is 
focused on other parts of the city.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens