RENO ADVOCATES HARSH SENTENCES AND PREVENTION

Imposing "harsh sentences that are fair and fit the crime" on
traffickers and substance abusers is one proven way of tackling drug
problems that plague communities and destroy people, says Janet Reno.

Prevention is another, said the former U.S. attorney general, who was the
keynote speaker Wednesday at the Safe Streets Safe Cities: Finding Solutions
international conference in Calgary.

Speakers tackled issues such as drug abuse, crime, prostitution and
homelessness, and shared ideas on solutions.

Reno pointed to the success of drug courts in the U.S. during an
earlier interview Wednesday with the Herald.

"In 1988, we started a drug court in Miami-Dade County. There are now
over 400 across the U.S.," she said.

In the 1980s, the Miami area was reeling from a crack cocaine
epidemic.

The Miami Coalition for a Safe and Drug-Free Community pushed for this
court to provide treatment for first-time offenders. That led to a
decline in substance abuse.

This model can be used for a host of social ills, said
Reno.

Jurisdictions can deal with mental-health problems that contribute to
the crime problems by setting up courts presided over by judges
"experienced and trained in mental-health issues."

Such a court has been set up in Edmonton.

Many offenders end up in jail rather than where they should be --
mental-health treatment facilities -- "because there are none in some
instances," she said.

Probation officers and other experts should be lined up to work with
individuals before the court, she said.

"It is essential that the treatment not be spread too thin . . . and
that we don't try to suggest we can make a difference if we have
people with caseloads of 100 people being treated at any one time with
totally inadequate resources."

During her tenure in President Bill Clinton's administration, Reno
pushed for reforms to help troubled youth.

Communities can pull resources together "to reweave the fabric of
community around families and children and people at risk," she said.

The greatest impact is derived from approaching a problem from a
prevention point of view, she said.

Understanding why young people turn to substance abuse is
critical.

Don't give up on anyone, she said, and try new things to tackle old
problems.

Reno said education and housing are also critical areas.

"If a kid drops out, they are going to be far more susceptible to
substance abuse. Keep that child in school and interested . . .
graduate that child."

The conference, which wraps up today, is sponsored by the Community
Life Improvement Council of Calgary and the Canada West Foundation.