LOOSER POT LAWS WILL SEND WRONG MESSAGE

Smoke Signals

Decriminalization of marijuana will encourage pot smoking by
signalling that society no longer frowns on it, warn police officers who
work in schools encouraging students not to use drugs.

And lessening penalties -- such as removing simple possession for
small amounts from the Criminal Code -- will send the wrong message to
Canadians, say police and addictions workers.

"Any move to decriminalize it might make it more acceptable in the
minds of the youth," said Howard Faulkner, director of the Alberta
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission. "Some people would not use it now
because it has criminal consequences."

"By taking that away," he said, "some may decide to use it."

Faulkner has told the House of Commons committee recommending softer
marijuana laws that AADAC opposes decriminalization because marijuana
causes health problems.

Ten to 20 per cent of AADAC's clients -- mostly teens -- say marijuana
is their main problem drug, he said. Forty per cent of all clients
report having problems with marijuana in combination with other
substances, usually alcohol.

If there is a move to decriminalize pot possession, Faulkner said
AADAC would hope it would be accompanied by improvements to
enforcement and programs aimed at prevention, education and treatment.

Federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said Monday he will act on a
recommendation to remove possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana
from the Criminal Code. It would still be illegal, but the charge
would be handled much like a traffic ticket.

"I question why we would go down the road of making another substance
legal that we know to be harmful and add to the problems that we have
with alcohol and tobacco," said Sgt. Ian Sanderson, drug awareness
officer with the RCMP's K Division.

"My big concern is that we send young people mixed messages on this.
They hear one thing in the media and they get another from their
parents and school and police."

"The reality is that people are still going to use those substances
whether they're legal or illegal."

Alberta Justice Minister Dave Hancock said he supports police
opposition to decriminalization.

"Drugs are a major part of the organized crime agenda," he said.
"Marijuana in its current form is a strong drug and slackening off
with respect to the laws probably will cause more problems than it will
solve."

Currently, possession of up to 30 grams of pot, enough to roll about
40 cigarettes, is now handled by police as a summary conviction. A
criminal record may result.

Edmonton police Sgt. John Stokker oversees the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education program, which involves 70 officers who volunteer their time
to talk to about 3,000 Grade 6 students over a 17-week period about
making healthy lifestyle choices and avoiding drugs.

"If they decriminalize marijuana, it's opening up a Pandora's box," he
said. "The cost to society from alcohol and tobacco use is
astronomical. Are you opening up that same avenue with marijuana?"