Pubdate: Fri, 07 Apr 2006
Source: Coast Reporter (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Coast Reporter
Contact:  http://www.coastreporter.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/580
Author: Patricia Hall, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

TAKE A BITE OUT OF HARPER

Pat's Perspective

So our Prime Minister Stephen Harper wants to lock them up and throw 
away the key. Longer prison sentences, less community re-integration 
and more police patrolling neighbourhoods will reduce serious crimes, 
he says. He announced the Conservative government's plans to fight 
crime at the Canadian Professional Police Association this week.

Take one look at the United States criminal justice system, Mr. 
Harper, and you'll see that building more jails does not reduce 
crime. Why? Because jails are crime schools where offenders can learn 
new tricks of the trade and make new contacts. And because they do 
not address the underlying issues leading to drug addiction and violence.

Statistics show the crime rates in Canada have been steadily 
declining since 1991. The violent crime rate has been declining since 
1992. However, Harper is correct that homicide, weapons, drug and 
gang offences have gone up. And yes, weapons and drug offences are a 
problem on the Sunshine Coast.

But I am a strong believer in the four pillars approach to drug 
addiction: harm reduction, prevention, treatment and enforcement -- a 
more balanced approach than just enforcement. And police forces are 
coming on board to this approach.

Instilling fear in the public that we could end up dodging bullets 
while walking down the street unless his proposed changes move ahead 
may have won Harper votes and helped his approval ratings, but it is 
not going to "tackle" crime problems.

Harper wants to get "violent criminals off the streets so they can't 
re-offend," he said in his speech. But they will have to be released 
eventually, unless taxpayers want to foot the bill to keep all 
offenders in jail for life, so supervised re-integration programs 
like parole are important for community safety.

The Conservatives plan to repeal the Faint Hope Clause, a provision 
allowing those serving a life sentence to have their parole 
ineligibility period reviewed after 15 years. Next thing you know 
he'll be bringing back the death penalty, which life sentences 
including the Faint Hope Clause provision replaced in 1976.

Harper's Conservatives plan to scrap a proposal to decriminalize 
marijuana to "get drugs off the streets, away from our children and 
clean up our communities," he says. Meanwhile, alcohol, tobacco and 
prescription drugs remain legal.

"If we legalize drugs like marijuana, it will make it easier for our 
children to get hold of it," he said in his speech. It wasn't too 
long ago that I was in high school, where it was easier to buy a 
baggie of weed in the alley behind the school than to buy cigarettes 
at the 7-11 or beer at the liquor store. Drug dealers are not 
required to ask for ID, unlike store clerks.

My opinion may not be popular in this community. But I would hope 
that after spending five years studying criminology and two years 
working professionally on the front lines with offenders, I walked 
away learning something.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman