HELP ADDICTS, JAIL DEALERS - P.M.

The federal government will introduce legislation this fall that would
require mandatory minimum jail sentences for people convicted of
"serious" drug crimes, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Thursday.

"Currently there are no minimum prison sentences for producing and
trafficking dangerous drugs like methamphetamines and cocaine," Harper
told a news conference. "But these are serious crimes; those who
commit them should do serious time."

But in launching the government's long-awaited, $63.8 million national
anti-drug strategy in Winnipeg, Harper also promised to be
compassionate toward people hooked on illegal drugs. In particular,
the prime minister said he is concerned about rising drug use among
youth. He also noted drug use takes an expensive toll on the
health-care system and fuels crime.

"Narcotics destroy lives. They rob young people of their futures, they
tear families apart, they make our streets less safe and they lay
waste to our communities."

Harper said the government's response will be two-pronged, focusing on
drug addicts on one hand and on drug producers and dealers on the
other: "If drugs do get hold of you, there will be help to get you off
them. But if you sell or produce drugs, you will pay with prison time.
Our two-track approach will be tough on the dealers and producers of
drugs and compassionate for their victims."

He underlined that tough new anti-drug laws will be a major component
of the plan, but confirmed two-thirds of funding will go toward the
prevention and treatment of illicit drug use. The plan also includes a
major national public awareness campaign aimed at youth and parents.
There will be funding for the provinces and territories for drug abuse
programs, modernizing treatment services and making them more widely
available, financial support for youth intervention programs and more
money for police to investigate and prosecute drug crimes.