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."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager