Pubdate: Thu, 23 Jul 2009
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Jeff Hodson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

MINISTER PROMOTES MANDATORY DRUG SENTENCES

Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson was in Vancouver yesterday to 
drum up support for a bill that would impose mandatory sentences for 
drug producers and traffickers.

"Illicit drug production is the No. 1 source of income for gangs and 
organized crime," said Nicholson after touring a mock grow-op at the 
fire department's training facility. The fake pot plants were green 
plastic bags sitting on bamboo stems.

"Drug labs and grow-ops . threaten the safety of B.C.'s 
neighbourhoods and particularly our children."

Insp. Brad Desmaris, of Vancouver's gangs and drug squad, said police 
find families with children living in grow-ops and meth labs about 30 
per cent of the time.

Nicholson met with groups like the Vancouver Board of Trade to gain 
support for Bill C-15.

It has been held up in the Senate, which adjourned before the bill 
could be passed.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom