Pubdate: Thu, 27 Jul 2006
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Canoe Inc
Contact:  http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: John Pigeon, 24 Hours
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)

TORIES PLAN CRACKDOWN ON DRUGGED DRIVING

Conservative MP Mark Warawa announced yesterday the federal 
government's plan to create tougher legislation helping police crack 
down on drivers stoned on marijuana.

Warawa made the announcement from the RCMP station in his Langley 
riding but stopped short of saying how exactly police officers will 
be able to confirm the driver's impairment is caused by marijuana.

"It's very difficult. What we call an accident directly involves a 
choice, a choice in each case that is a dangerous choice and a wrong 
choice - to drive while you're impaired," Warawa said. "The 
government of Canada takes this issue very seriously and we're 
examining all legislative options to deal with this important issue."

Helen Featherson couldn't agree more with the proposed legislation 
after her 16-year-old son Simon was killed after unknowingly getting 
into a car with a stoned driver who he had just met.

"What a terrible irony it was that Simon would be killed at the age 
of 16 by being invited into a car driven by someone who was a heavy 
drug user, someone with a very different attitude towards life," 
Featherson said.

The new legislation falls in line with the Conservative governments 
plan to crack down on drug use and crime.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman