Pubdate: Fri, 23 Feb 2007 Source: Packet & Times (CN ON) Page: A4 Copyright: 2007 Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.orilliapacket.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2397 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Supervised Injection Sites) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John) U.S. DRUG CZAR PRAISES CANADA Ottawa - The American drug czar who once blasted Canada for safe-injection sites and for exporting "the crack of marijuana" to the U.S. was much more mellow Thursday during his first visit here in two years. A new roster of Conservative officials bent on tougher anti-drug laws had something to do with it. "The United States appreciates Canada's renewed focus on disrupting organized criminal activity, and reducing illicit drug use and trafficking," said John Walters, director of U.S. National Drug Control Policy. "I've seen terrific consensus here in my visit so far," he said. "I think the debate that has been a source of friction has been obviously less under the current administration." Walters was speaking of the diplomatic war of words that flared under the former Liberal regime over plans to decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot. The Stephen Harper Conservatives quickly axed that idea. They have also proposed a roster of get-tough anti-drug measures that include minimum mandatory sentences for trafficking and other serious offences. Walters was in Canada for the first time since the Tories took power, touting a U.S. drug policy that he said has cut overall drug use among American teens by 23 per cent since 2001. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake