Pubdate: Wed, 28 May 2003 Source: Recorder & Times, The (CN ON) Section A, page 4 Copyright: 2003 Recorder and Times Contact: http://www.recorder.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2216 Author: Megan Gillis Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) CITY POLICE CHIEF LAUDS FUNDING FOR NEW NATIONAL DRUG STRATEGY Police Chief Barry King hailed the announcement of $245 million for a national substance abuse strategy Tuesday as the first of 1,850 kids raced against drugs at the Brockville Memorial Centre. King also praised doubling of penalties for people who grow pot in new federal legislation decriminalizing possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana. But the chairman of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse argued that police officers need the discretion to keep charging people who have small quantities of marijuana. The legislation takes away the ability to charge people possessing small quantities - including in cases with aggravating factors, such as use by on-the-job police, bus drivers or pilots, King said. He fears that an emergency service could no more fire a member for possessing pot than for being ticketed for having open liquor in a public park. Police will make that case to the justice committee. "If any person is in a high-risk profession was doing it while they were working - police, fire, ambulance - they've got to take serious measures," King said. Ottawa will set aside an extra $245 million over the next five years to beef up law enforcement and to pay for education, information, research and treatment programs aimed at preventing drug use. It's not everything drug fighters asked for but having more resources and national leadership on the issue is a good start, King said. The package also includes training for police to recognize drug-impaired drivers and fills the "void" of information for youth about drugs as Canada's pot laws were debated. Cannabis is still a dangerous drug no one should use, King said. The new money means more Canadian children will get age appropriate messages about substance abuse - such as Racing Against Drugs. "We don't want to see one person who has gone through this program have a problem with substance abuse," the chief told several hundred students at the Memorial Centre "Is that a promise?" "Yes!" the kids cheered. Grade 5 and 6 students from Leeds, Grenville and Lanark will be racing against drugs at the Memorial Centre all week. The 25 pit stops include messages about drinking and driving and how drugs affect health and judgment. "Since car racing has a zero tolerance for substance abuse it is the perfect theme for communicating this message to students," said Denise Kall, who is leaving her post after five years as co-ordinator of the Safe Community Coalition. Jennifer Labelle, a paramedic with the Leeds and Grenville emergency medical services, told the stories of two local teens who have died, in one case "sniffing" and in the other mixing drugs and alcohol. "One time could be the last time," she said. Pineview Public School student Janica Roberts, 11, staggered as she tried to walk a line in goggles that simulate being drunk with the help of Constable Blake Jones of the CP Rail Police. "It's really weird," she said. "You don't know where you're going. It looks like the line is in a different spot than it really is." - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager