USEFUL TOOL IN THE WAR ON DRUGS

Last summer was a bad one for many Quebec farmers, not in terms of harvests
or prices, but in terms of unwanted crops. What can a corn-grower do when
he's out in the back 40 and finds a neat little plantation of marijuana
tucked in among the cornstalks?

Calling the police can be a recipe for trouble, since those who did the
planting will be displeased. But doing nothing can also bring trouble, if
the police find the marijuana crop anyway.

The solution, pioneered and promoted by the Surete du Quebec, is a simple
agreement by which the farmer gives the police advance permission to enter
his fields anytime.

A pilot project last year, La Presse reported this week, had good results,
with more marijuana seizures and few reprisal incidents. Many farmers are
still wary of getting involved at all - "A barn can burn fast," they say -
but this contract notion does seem to be useful. The more widespread this
tool becomes, the more effective it is.

Coupled with aerial surveillance, informants and other investigative
techniques, this passive cooperation by farmers appears to be reducing the
problem, and deserves to be employed more widely this year.

Of course, everything about marijuana-law enforcement in this country
remains somewhat surreal, given the inconsistent and careless approach of
lawmakers, prosecutors, and police forces. We need a comprehensive review
of our marijuana laws, followed by legislative changes if necessary, and
then rigour in enforcement.

In the meantime, though, anything that stops barns from burning and
inhibits the thugs who grow dope is to be welcomed.