Pubdate: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 Source: Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2005Lower Mainland Publishing Group, Inc. Contact: http://www.thenownews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1340 Author: Jennifer Saltman, Staff Reporter Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) MOODY POLICE BOARD BACKS NATIONAL DRUG STRATEGY The Port Moody Police Board has unanimously thrown its support behind a draft response to the federal government's proposal to decriminalize marijuana. The response, which comes from the Canadian Association of Police Boards (CAPB), calls for "an adequately funded and comprehensive national drug strategy before any weakening of marijuana possession and cultivation laws is undertaken." The CAPB represents close to 60 municipal police boards and commissions across the country. The association believes that the federal government has failed to clearly articulate the rationale underlying the introduction of Bill C-17, the Public Safety Act, and "the absence of a detailed justification for the move only fosters speculation as to the purpose of this legislative initiative." The association wants the government to delay passing the bill until clarifications are made and its concerns are addressed. For example, it suggests that maintaining a range of options for prosecuting minor drug offences may allow for a balanced approach. It supports giving police officers discretion to either lay criminal charges or issue tickets in simple possession cases. Health, increased funding for the national drug strategy, punishment, impaired driving and perceived messages - conveyed to the public and to the U.S. - are other issues in the report. The association, and the local police board, is also worried about the message being received by youth. "Decriminalization sends the message to youth that it's OK," Port Moody Chief Const. Paul Shrive said. He added that the terms "decriminalization" and "legalization" are often confused by youth. The report suggests that before a review, "any move to implement legislative changes may well prove shortsighted." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth