Pubdate: Mon, 17 Mar 2003
Source: Journal-Pioneer, The (CN PI)
Copyright: 2003 Journal-Pioneer
Contact: http://www.journalpioneer.com/reader_editor.cfm
Website: http://www.journalpioneer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2789
Author: Jim Brown, Journal Pioneer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

FOX PROMISES ZERO TOLERANCE FOR POT POSSESSION

BORDEN-CARLETON--Borden-Carleton Police Chief Jamie Fox has promised a 
zero-tolerance approach for persons charged with simple possession of a 
drug substance following a provincial court case in Summerside in which a 
19-year-old Island man's marijuana possession charge was stayed, after 
precedents set in Ontario court cases.

Fox said his officers have been instructed to apply as many charges as 
possible to anyone who is found with drugs in their possession.

For instance, in the past, if a motorist was pulled over by police after 
speeding or travelling through a Stop Sign and a small quantity of 
marijuana and hashish was found, only the more serious charge - possession 
of that drug, would be laid.

Not any more, according to Fox. Now every possible charge, including 
provincial Highway Traffic Act charges, will be laid, he vowed. That could 
include such things charges related to unsafe mechanical maintenance, said Fox.

No charges will be overlooked in a bid to keep Borden-Carleton's streets 
safe from so-called "impaired" drivers, driving under the influence of 
mind-altering substances, he said.

Fox said even passenger smoking up in a car's back seat could have a 
harmful effect on a driver's judgement.

Friday Judge Ralph C. Thompson explained in his 11-page decision an Ontario 
Court of Appeal ruling known as the Parker decision effectively struck down 
the law that prohibits simple possession.

Thompson said it wouldn't be fair to prosecute the man when 12 million 
Ontarians have immunity to similar charges.

But Fox called Friday's court decision, "wrong" and said it should be 
immediately appealed.

In a news release, he stated his department will continue to lay charges 
under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as if those charges were 
valid charges under the Act.

"This is an important health issue and further involves basic public 
safety, the smoking of any substances is harmful is harmful to our health, 
the smoking of cannibis is 500 times worse," he stated.

"Drinking and driving has been proven to kill innocent people, the smoking 
of cannabis also affects the mind and reactions of people, now put this 
person behind the wheel of a car, shake the dice and let's see what happens."

Cpl. Ken Murray, of the Island RCMP's drug awareness section, says the RCMP 
will continue to lay possession charges under the Act until told to do 
otherwise.

"It's business as usual," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager