Pubdate: Fri, 05 Oct 2007 Source: Peterborough Examiner, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2007 Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2616 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Stephen+Harper TORIES ATTACK DRUGS Prime Minister Stephen Harper is promising to put more drug dealers behind bars and help users kick the habit as part of a $64-million anti-drug strategy. The government will introduce legislation this fall to make prison time mandatory for serious drug offences, the prime minister said yesterday. But he refused to be specific other than to say the proposed law would focus on dealers. "Currently there are no minimum prison sentences for producing and trafficking dangerous drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine," Harper told workers at a Salvation Army centre in downtown Winnipeg. "These are serious crimes. Those who commit them should do serious time." But he also said the government wants to make "a distinction between those who would simply be a user or an addict, and those who actually deal and produce drugs in order to profit from other people's addiction." The Conservative plan includes a promise to help border guards find drugs and the products used to manufacture crystal meth and other substances. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake