FANTINO - BATTLE DEMAND FOR DRUGS

Battling the demand for drugs is more effective than hiring a squad of beat
cops, Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino says.

"Our jails are already filled with druggies we've put there," Fantino said
in response to Councillor Kyle Rae's request for a permanent squad of nine
officers to battle the growing drug trade plaguing the city's core.

"Fighting drugs is like digging a hole in the Sahara Desert ... the desert
just keeps on filling up," Fantino said, adding educational and
motivational programs can go a long way in alerting potential users to the
dangers of drugs.

In a recent letter to the chief, Rae stressed the need for a full-time
squad to attack the "chronic problem" of street-level pushers.

He said the drug problem continues to grow because the drug squad is
focused on other parts of the city.