POLICE DEFEND USING VOLUNTEERS ON DRUGS

EDMONTON - The Edmonton Police Service says a training program in
which officers observe volunteers who may be high on drugs is used in
30 U.S. states.

Acting police Chief Mike Bradshaw says police did not provide the men
and women -- some of them prostitutes -- with any drugs during a
training session in December.

Chief Bradshaw says the police approached the Metis society looking
for volunteers, but not all those who came forward were aboriginal.

They were, however, all known drug users and may or may not have been
high during the session.

The volunteers were anonymous and were not promised anything in return
for their participation.