CRACK DOWN ON TRAFFICKERS, MARTIN URGES

'The War On Drugs is Critically Important,' Liberal Front-Runner Says

Canada must take dramatic measures to win the "war" against illegal drugs,
Liberal leadership front-runner Paul Martin said yesterday.

Mr. Martin, while supportive of the federal plan to decriminalize marijuana
possession and permit safe injection sites for drug addicts, called for a
crackdown on the organized criminal groups running the marijuana
cultivation industry based in Ontario, Quebec and especially British Columbia.

"The war against drugs is critically important," Mr. Martin said yesterday.

"I think whether we would decriminalize or not, we should deal with these
issues. By the way, this is not just a Vancouver issue. This is an issue
right across the country. This is a massive issue in Quebec."

The Chretien government, which announced plans for a National Drug Strategy
in the 2002 throne speech, has always refused to adopt the U.S.-style "war
on drugs" rhetoric that focuses on law enforcement.

"I don't know if we use the term, either, but I mean certainly, yes, a
massive effort (is needed)," Mr. Martin said.

"I think the penalties ought to be very severe and I think the government
ought to crack down as much as possible. I think the government ought to
crack down, period."

An RCMP intelligence report has warned that Canada, thanks to weak
sentencing laws, has become a "haven" for indoor marijuana grow operations
that are run by outlaw biker gangs and Vietnamese gangs prone to "extreme
violence."

U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci said recently that Canada, if it wants to
avoid border troubles, needs to send a signal that it will move against
growers and traffickers if it goes ahead with decriminalization of
possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The Canadian Police Association said this week the government shouldn't
rush to decriminalize marijuana possession without taking stronger measures
on the law enforcement side.

While Solicitor General Wayne Easter said yesterday he favours a more
punitive system, the 2002 throne speech didn't emphasize a tougher
law-and-order approach.

"The government will also implement a national drug strategy to address
addiction while promoting public safety," the speech promised.

"It will expand the number of drug treatment courts. It will act on the
results of parliamentary consultations with Canadians on options for change
in our drug laws, including the possibility of the decriminalization of
marijuana possession."

Mr. Martin said the government plan to decriminalize possession of 30 grams
or less of cannabis could help discourage drug use.

"I've talked to a lot of police who actually say that, 'Listen, for very
small amounts we would often let the people go because we're not going to
(charge them with) criminal offences. We actually think it would be a
greater deterrence if you have a fine.' "

Mr. Martin also supports, with some misgivings, the federal agreement to
permit a trial of injection sites for drug addicts in Vancouver and other
major cities.

After a long pause, Mr. Martin said he will support the initiative that is
being championed by Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell and is backed federally
by Industry Minister Allan Rock, the former minister of health.

"Do I think government should do everything it possibly can to prevent the
spread of disease, whether it's AIDS or whatever? Yes. And I believe that
safe injection sites are a rational solution.

"I think they've got to be very closely monitored. I think as much help and
education has got to go with it."