Pubdate: Mon, 25 Aug 2003 Source: Halifax Herald (CN NS) Copyright: 2003 The Halifax Herald Limited Contact: http://www.herald.ns.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180 Author: Amy Pugsley Fraser Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) DRUG BREATHALYSER IN THE WORKS - EASTER Marijuana law makes device necessary, says Solicitor General The federal government is pursuing development of a breathalyser for illegal drugs, the Solicitor General told a national conference in Halifax on Sunday evening. The initiative goes hand in hand with the government's upcoming marijuana bill, Wayne Easter told a group gathered for opening ceremonies at a meeting of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. There is not yet a reliable, non-intrusive roadside method to test drivers for drugs as there is for alcohol. "The Mothers Against Drunk Driving have complained consistently - and that's their right - about there not being a (drug) breathalyser in place," Mr. Easter said. The government's upcoming marijuana bill would make possession of up to 15 grams of pot a minor offence that would carry a fine but no criminal record. With the new legislation, $910,000 would be set aside for public education, better drug-detection training for officers, and research and development, the Malpeque MP said during his 25-minute speech. Part of that money would go toward developing a special drug breathalyser for use in roadside stops. Mr. Easter, a P.E.I. farmer before he was elected to Parliament in 1993, assured the almost 800 gathered under a huge canvas tent on the Halifax waterfront that such initiatives show that Ottawa is treating marijuana seriously. "We don't want our kids smoking marijuana," he said. "We've had an anti-smoking campaign in terms of tobacco, and the strategy here is to use funding to help." The former Liberal backbencher, who replaced fellow Islander Lawrence MacAuley as Solicitor General last October, said the government is relying on the courts to follow along with its national drug strategy. "We expect the courts to impose those penalties because they must if we are to deal with those marijuana grow operations in a big and effective way." Mr. Easter also said police have a big part to play. "We have to recognize that, in Canada, the enforcement in terms of marijuana laws across the country is not uniform, and we're hopeful that through this bill . . . we'll bring some uniformity and consistency for laws across the country and we hope that the law enforcement community will act on those laws." The MP congratulated the chiefs of police - and their organizations - for their "pretty darn good" work and said Canadians should be proud of their worldwide reputation for showing police officers respect and trust. The government is keen to work with police organizations across the country on key issues such as organized crime, border enforcement, citizen security, Internet child pornography and the new threat of identity theft. "We have to bring all parts of the justice system into a united front to protect public safety," Mr. Easter said. The Solicitor General's office is in charge of the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Correctional Service of Canada and the National Parole Board. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh