Pubdate: Fri, 02 Jun 2006
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Ian Austin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MOUNTIES EXONERATE SULLIVAN

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan won't be charged for giving money to two 
Vancouver drug addicts.

The actions of the mayor -- who is also chairman of the Vancouver 
Police Board -- were investigated by the RCMP and yesterday they said 
no criminal charges would be brought against him.

"I am glad that the cloud that has hung over me for the last many 
months has left," Sullivan said from Ottawa. "I have been very open 
and honest with the public on this issue.

"I don't believe what I did was wrong, but I can tell you I would not 
do it again."

Sullivan made a lengthy statement to police last month detailing his 
interactions with the two addicts he referred to as Michele and Shawn.

"In the year 2000, a front-page article was published detailing how I 
gave money to a 20-year-old woman to buy heroin to prevent her from 
risking her life and health by prostituting herself to get drug 
money," Sullivan told police.

"I also disclosed to a journalist writing a feature article about me 
that I gave money to a crack-cocaine addict. For five years no one 
ever questioned the legality of my actions or worried about the 
health of my addicted friends."

The issue played prominently in the 2005 election campaign, and when 
Sullivan was elected mayor Vancouver police Chief Jamie Graham said 
he had no choice but to order an investigation.

Sullivan said he will no longer intervene personally in addicts' 
lives, but will attempt to help them through public-policy changes.
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