MARTIN PLANS GET-TOUGH APPROACH TO DRUG TRADE

Organized Criminal Gangs Would Be Targeted

OTTAWA -- Liberal leadership front-runner Paul Martin called Thursday for a
crackdown on organized criminal groups that run B.C.'s marijuana
cultivation industry and those in Ontario and Quebec.

And while supporting the federal plan to decriminalize pot possession and
permit safe-injection sites, "the war against drugs is critically
important," he told The Vancouver Sun. "I think whether we would
decriminalize [marijuana] or not, we should deal with these issues."

Martin said he will support Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell's safe
drug-injection initiative.

"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."

Vancouver's proposed safe-injection program is part of a "harm-reduction"
strategy focused on reducing overdose deaths and the spread of disease. But
critics have called the proposed sites legal "shooting galleries" that will
attract more drug addicts and dealers.

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

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.

But Martin said Thursday: "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."

The Canadian Police Association said this week the government should not
rush to decriminalize pot possession without taking stronger
law-enforcement measures.

While Solicitor General Wayne Easter said Thursday he favours a more
punitive system, the 2002 throne speech did not 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."

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