Pubdate: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Kamloops This Week Contact: http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271 Author: Markus Ermisch Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) WHITHER THE ILLEGAL LEAVES? Report Spurs Debate On Legalizing Much Of The Drug Trade Legalizing the drug trade in British Columbia has long been a topic discussed in hushed voices in the hallways of the provincial legislature. Last week, the B.C. Progress Board shattered the relative silence when it published what it deems to be the "only three real choices" to deal with the drug trade on Canada's West Coast. The status quo didn't make the list and, suddenly, the province is abuzz with talk about where the board's recommendations will lead. Opinions on the matter differ widely. "I think it would be a nightmare on our highways, and a nightmare in society, if we ever gave free rein on drugs to people," said Pat Wallace, a Kamloops city councillor and member of the police committee. "If we ever unleash that, we'd unleash a burden on society that society would forever live to regret." Wallace said she hadn't yet read the report and heard it mentioned only in passing. The thought of legalizing drugs, which is one of the three choices the board presented Victoria, is unacceptable to the veteran councillor. "People can't handle drugs. Drugs aren't our way of life. Most people don't take drugs," she said. "I think we've got things reversed somewhat slightly. We forgot that we should have some values in this country. This is a country born of Christian values, and I'm not singing from my hymn book in the church when I say this. This is our heritage - that we have values that relate to good and bad." Legalizing the drug trade, she said, would increase the use of drugs and create problems that would outweigh any potential benefits legalizing the drug trade may entail. The status quo, or enabling the justice system to clamp down even harder on the drug trade, she said, is better than legalization. According to the Progress Board, "the status quo, of course, is another option, but this is clearly not acceptable if we seek to truly reduce the rates of crime and victimization in the province." Another option outlined in the report suggests "the provincial government should provide the resources necessary to eliminate the trade entirely in the province." This would mean to significantly boost resources for law enforcement for up to 10 years. Instinctively, Mayor Terry Lake said he would reject legalizing drugs. Considered rationally, however, he said the "refreshing report" contains ideas worth considering. "The thought of legalizing some of these things - it goes against my basic nature to agree with that," he said. "And yet evidence suggests that what we are doing now clearly isn't working. So let's start talking about things we would never talk about before." Current methods of dealing with drug crime are ineffective, according to the mayor. "It would be very difficult to have a zero-tolerance policy. That's essentially what we have now, and it's not working," he said. Legalizing the drug trade, either completely or partially, "certainly can't make the situation any worse, I don't think, than it is now. So let's examine it and see how it works." Lake said that, based on his discussions with people who work in the addictions field, a rise in drug use following legalization is unlikely. In Victoria, the government did not greet the report with roaring applause. Internally, however, the document is being hotly debated. "You can count on this not being a read-and-file type of proposal. There'll be lots of discussion," said Kevin Krueger. The Liberal MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson said drugs like crystal meth are unlikely to ever be legalized. He conceded, however, that total prohibition doesn't seem to be working and could lead to drug- trade proceeds feeding even more crime. Krueger said the government created the board for a reason and frequently heeds the organization's advice. But the board merely advises, and the government is not bound by any of its recommendations. Public opinion in British Columbia appears to side with the board, according to Krueger. "Whether it's tobacco or alcohol or gambling - there's a whole range of things that people are just determined to do," he said. "And eventually, governments seem to throw in the towel and concede that the only way to regulate those things that the public will accept is to keep them away from minors and let adults make their own decisions." The board's Discussion Paper on Crime and Criminal Justice in British Columbia surveys the state of crime, criminality and criminal justice in B.C. and provides recommendations with options to further reduce crime rates in the province. It can be read in full at www.bcprogressboard.com. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl