ANTI-DRUG RESOLUTION BLOCKED

Municipal federation reiterates support for marijuana decriminalization

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities was accused of "giving up" on the
fight against drugs after it rejected a resolution by Tecumseh opposing
reductions in penalties for marijuana possession.

Tecumseh Mayor Ed Renaud said the federation is sending a message to drug
users and traffickers that Canada is "wide open."

"That's especially disappointing in border communities such as ours," Renaud
said.

Citing an existing FCM policy which favours alternative penalties, including
tickets, in cases where individuals are caught in possession of small
amounts of marijuana, a standing committee on community safety and crime
prevention voted Thursday against the resolution and refused to present it
to the FCM board of directors for further discussion.

Renaud cited recent drugs busts at the border which have netted almost $3
million in illegal drugs and said that attempts to smuggle drugs across the
border would continue.

"You can't just target sellers and producers, you also have to target users
if you want to discourage drug use," said Renaud.

He said he had hoped that the issue would "at least get past this committee
and go back to the FCM board for debate."

Tecumseh council passed the resolution unanimously at a meeting in May.

But committee members, who have taken a strong stand against grow
operations, traffickers and drug producers, said their support of
decriminalization was aimed at preventing first-time, young offenders caught
in possession of small amounts from having life-long criminal records.

"I believe we need to focus police resources and budgets towards producers
and sellers and away from those who possess small amounts for their own
use," said Richmond Hill deputy mayor Brenda Hogg.

Edmonton Councillor Ron Hayter said that the FCM has never supported reduced
penalties for grow operations and traffickers nor did it support
legalization of drug use.

"We have been concerned, though, with people caught with one joint and
ending up with a criminal record that will follow them all their lives."

But alderman John Schmal, of Calgary, supported Tecumseh's resolution and
said that placing weight limits on possession would create more work for
police services across the country who already have too much to do.

Windsor Councillor Bill Marra, who is chairman of the committee, said that
communities such as Windsor and Tecumseh face different problems because of
their proximity to the border.

"It could become a huge problem in this city as many Americans will
undoubtedly take advantage of ? relaxed legislation in this area," said
Marra.

The committee meeting was one of more than a dozen being held this week as
part of the FCM's national board meeting in Windsor.