Pubdate: Mon, 16 Feb 2009
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Times Colonist
Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Katie Derosa
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?233 (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition)

POLICE OFFICER CALLS FOR DRUG LEGALIZATION

Canada's drug laws are harmful, result in repeat offenders and waste 
taxpayers' money, a Victoria police officer told a group of students 
and marijuana activists yesterday.

David Bratzer was speaking at the 10th annual Cannabis Convention, 
held at the University of Victoria by the student society's Hempology 
101 Club and the International Hempology 101 Society.

"We have an environment where law-enforcement officers are realizing 
these laws are ineffective," said Bratzer, speaking as a member of 
the U.S.-based Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

He emphasized that his views are personal, not those of the Victoria 
Police Department.

As a patrol officer in an urban area of Victoria, Bratzer said he 
sees the same addicts getting arrested over and over for break and 
enter or robbery, crimes they commit to feed their drug habits. He 
also sees street kids shooting up in back alleys with dirty needles 
and without supervision, and many die as a result.

As for the recent spate of violent and brazen gang slayings in 
Vancouver, Bratzer calls them "drug-prohibition deaths," arguing 
they're the result of gang members fighting to control the 
multi-billion-dollar illegal drug market.

Bratzer said a significant amount of police time -- and thus 
taxpayers' money -- is spent battling drug crimes.

The solution, he said, is to gradually legalize and regulate all 
drugs so they can be taken out of the hands of illegal gangs.

Bratzer, a clean-cut man in glasses and khaki pants, said instead of 
preaching to the converted, he plans to take his message to Rotary 
clubs, business groups and other "more conservative" organizations.

Law-enforcement officials, who deal with the adverse effects of drug 
prohibition every day, are able to more effectively champion the 
cause for legalization, said Ted Smith, president of the 
International Hempology 101 Society.

"It's one thing to put us off as a bunch of potheads, but when sober, 
intelligent people speak out, their opinion carries a lot of weight 
because of that."

Yesterday's event featured guest speakers, including Ed deVries, 
founder of the Nunavut Marijuana party; displays set up with various 
drug paraphernalia; and, of course, the distinct smell of pot wafting 
in from outside.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom