POLICE RELEASE A NEW POLICY FOR DRUG CRIMES

Focus On Arresting Dealers, Not Quiet Users

Vancouver police are making it their official policy not to arrest
people for quietly using drugs, but to focus instead on those who
sell and make them.

The new policy, unveiled yesterday, also says drug prevention is one
pillar of the city's Four Pillars drug policy that is being overlooked.

"A person's behaviour, rather than the unlawful possession or use,
should be the primary factor in determining whether to lay a charge,"
Insp. Scott Thompson, the Vancouver Police Department's drug policy
co-ordinator, said yesterday.

Other parts of the draft policy include:

- - Pursuing middle-level drug traffickers and those who produce drugs;

- - Looking at mandatory drug treatment and making treatment available on demand;

- - Supporting the needle exchange, the NAOMI heroin trial and the
safe-injection site;

- - Supporting more drug education in public schools and protecting
kids from the effects of drug use;

- - Using drug courts for drug-addicted offenders.

Chief Const. Jamie Graham said the policy was drafted so that all his
officers would be on the same page when it comes to enforcement.

"Traffickers are evil," he said. "And if you traffic anywhere near a
school ground, near a playground, you're going to get charged.

"If you're a drug addict, that's one thing. But if you're a drug
addict who stands and bothers people, and overtly displays bad
behaviour, that's going to trigger the next stage."

Police have charged 120 people for using drugs in areas like school grounds.

Deputy Chief Const. Doug LePard said officers will take drug users to
the safe-injection site instead of down to the station.

"It doesn't mean that we're not going to take action," he said.

Heather Hay, director of addictions for the Vancouver Coastal Health
Authority, praised the new policy as "leading edge" among police
forces worldwide.

"They've been extremely collaborative and easy to partner, and
certainly open to explore new opportunities," she said. "We really
support the direction they're going. We're going to work with them."

Ann Livingstone of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users said
street-level drug dealers are often paid in drugs, which they consume.

"I don't think it's enough to take those folks and charge them," she said.

She also said mandatory drug treatment won't work.

The Vancouver Police Board will vote on the policy in September.