Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 Source: Meridian Booster (CN AB) Copyright: 2004, The Lloydminster Meridian Booster Contact: http://www.meridianbooster.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1590 Author: Genevieve Svatek Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) BLAZERS FORWARD CAUGHT WITH COCAINE IN BANFF BAR A peek under a bathroom stall door by an RCMP officer in a Banff night club has yielded a drug conviction for Luke Hanna, a forward for the Lloydminster Blazers. Hanna, 20, pleaded guilty in Banff provincial court this past Monday to one charge of cocaine possession. He was charged after an incident on June 8, 2003. Court heard that on that date, Const. Phil Penny was patrolling a Banff night club in the early morning hours. Penny noticed a man was in a bathroom stall for a period of time, but hadn't pulled his pants down. Penny peaked inside from under the door and found Hanna with cocaine. Hanna was sentenced to six months probation and was ordered by Judge John Reilly either to perform 100 hours of community service or to donate $500 to a suitable charity of his choice. Hanna, originally from Red Deer, was arrested with 0.5 grams of cocaine. Reilly said crimes committed to obtain money for cocaine and crimes committed under the influence of cocaine make it a very serious drug. "Use must be discouraged," he said. Reilly ruled in favour of a request for a conditional discharge in the case if Hanna meets the terms of his probation. Reilly also ordered Hanna to attend counselling on the dangers of drug abuse during his six months' probation. "As far as the Blazers were concerned, we had no prior knowledge of what happened to Luke Hanna this summer," said Blazers coach Dale Jackson. "We're not allowed to comment on the situation any more than that until we've discussed it with (AJHL president) Kim Marsh and the league." Marsh said a chemical abuse policy was adopted by the Alberta Junior Hockey League, but has never been put into action prior to this incident. "We'll go through the steps as best we can, support the player and that's all we can look at right now," said Marsh. "There's obviously a suspension for the player, but the first important thing before the suspension is, is the player recovered? We have to put him through counselling and things like that. Our first thoughts are with the player right now." In a letter to the court, Hanna expressed remorse for his actions and said he hadn't touched cocaine since being caught. In a letter of reference for Hanna's character submitted as evidence, a hockey coach from Red Deer wrote "he is one of those kids you always dream of coaching." Hanna's father expressed unhappiness at his son's actions in a letter to the court, but said his son has aspirations to continue his hockey career. Hanna broke his leg in September, but is expected to return playing for the Blazers in February, said his lawyer Eric McAvity. Peeking under washroom stall doors is not a common investigative technique for Banff Mounties. Cpl. George Edwards, acting commanding officer for the Banff detachment, said, "It's not something we do every day." But if a suspicious situation occurs an officer will investigate. A male officer would search a men's restroom and a female officer would search a women's restroom, he said. - - With notes from Sean Rooney - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin