Pubdate: Mon, 01 Apr 2002
Source: Whitehorse Star (CN YK)
Copyright: 2002 Whitehorse Star
Contact:  http://www.whitehorsestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1493
Author: Stephanie Waddell

STUDY OF ILLEGAL DRUG INDUSTRIES ENVISIONED

The Association of Yukon Communities (AYC) could be asking its big brother 
to look into the impacts of the illegal drug trade across the country.

Last Monday evening, city council voted to bring forward a motion for the 
AYC to petition the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to commission a 
study on the trend and scope of illegal drug industries across the country. 
The study would also examine the cost and long-term impacts of the industry 
on health care and the educational, social and legal systems in Canada.

The AYC is made up of communities throughout the territory, while the FCM 
is an organization comprised of groups such as the AYC.

Each year, the AYC hosts its annual general meeting and conference in a 
different community in early May. Communities may bring forward a number of 
resolutions for the AYC to vote on.

This resolution was brought to council by Coun. Linda Casson. In an 
interview last Wednesday, she explained that while the issue of legalizing 
marijuana has been one of debate at the FCM level, illegal laboratories are 
being ignored.

She pointed out that an article in MacLean's magazine told the story of a 
girl who died after taking ecstasy for the first time. Casson hopes the 
resolution will encourage the larger national body to look at the larger 
picture.

"I'm concerned about the lack of information out there," she said. The 
original resolution she brought forward to council would have also called 
on the AYC to ask the FCM to postpone debate on legalizing marijuana 
growing. It was deleted when Coun. Doug Graham, who attended the meeting 
via conference call, said he'd support the motion if that section was taken 
out. He argued the debate on marijuana has come about because of federal 
government issues surrounding the legalization of the drug, and that the 
FCM isn't likely to stop its own debate on the issue.

Casson said she'd be comfortable with removing the request for 
postponement. She pointed out other municipalities are taking action on the 
issues surrounding illegal drug industries and related issues in their 
communities. "It is a municipal issue; we just haven't picked up on that 
yet," she said. The resolution will go forward to the AYC in early May at 
the annual general meeting in Dawson City.

Casson said if the AYC votes to proceed with it, the request would go to 
the FCM during its annual gathering scheduled for June in Hamilton, Ont.
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MAP posted-by: Beth