WHITHER THE ILLEGAL LEAVES?

Report Spurs Debate On Legalizing Much Of The Drug Trade

Legalizing the drug trade in British Columbia has long been a topic
discussed in hushed voices in the hallways of the provincial
legislature.

Last week, the B.C. Progress Board shattered the relative silence
when it published what it deems to be the "only three real choices"
to deal with the drug trade on Canada's West Coast.

The status quo didn't make the list and, suddenly, the province is
abuzz with talk about where the board's recommendations will lead.

Opinions on the matter differ widely.

"I think it would be a nightmare on our highways, and a nightmare in
society, if we ever gave free rein on drugs to people," said Pat
Wallace, a Kamloops city councillor and member of the police committee.

"If we ever unleash that, we'd unleash a burden on society that
society would forever live to regret."

Wallace said she hadn't yet read the report and heard it mentioned
only in passing. The thought of legalizing drugs, which is one of the
three choices the board presented Victoria, is unacceptable to the
veteran councillor.

"People can't handle drugs. Drugs aren't our way of life. Most people
don't take drugs," she said.

"I think we've got things reversed somewhat slightly. We forgot that
we should have some values in this country. This is a country born of
Christian values, and I'm not singing from my hymn book in the church
when I say this. This is our heritage - that we have values that
relate to good and bad."

Legalizing the drug trade, she said, would increase the use of drugs
and create problems that would outweigh any potential benefits
legalizing the drug trade may entail.

The status quo, or enabling the justice system to clamp down even
harder on the drug trade, she said, is better than legalization.

According to the Progress Board, "the status quo, of course, is
another option, but this is clearly not acceptable if we seek to
truly reduce the rates of crime and victimization in the province."

Another option outlined in the report suggests "the provincial
government should provide the resources necessary to eliminate the
trade entirely in the province."

This would mean to significantly boost resources for law enforcement
for up to 10 years.

Instinctively, Mayor Terry Lake said he would reject legalizing
drugs. Considered rationally, however, he said the "refreshing
report" contains ideas worth considering.

"The thought of legalizing some of these things - it goes against my
basic nature to agree with that," he said.

"And yet evidence suggests that what we are doing now clearly isn't
working. So let's start talking about things we would never talk
about before."

Current methods of dealing with drug crime are ineffective, according
to the mayor.

"It would be very difficult to have a zero-tolerance policy. That's
essentially what we have now, and it's not working," he said.

Legalizing the drug trade, either completely or partially, "certainly
can't make the situation any worse, I don't think, than it is now. So
let's examine it and see how it works."

Lake said that, based on his discussions with people who work in the
addictions field, a rise in drug use following legalization is unlikely.

In Victoria, the government did not greet the report with roaring
applause. Internally, however, the document is being hotly debated.

"You can count on this not being a read-and-file type of proposal.
There'll be lots of discussion," said Kevin Krueger.

The Liberal MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson said drugs like crystal
meth are unlikely to ever be legalized. He conceded, however, that
total prohibition doesn't seem to be working and could lead to drug-
trade proceeds feeding even more crime.

Krueger said the government created the board for a reason and
frequently heeds the organization's advice. But the board merely
advises, and the government is not bound by any of its recommendations.

Public opinion in British Columbia appears to side with the board,
according to Krueger.

"Whether it's tobacco or alcohol or gambling - there's a whole range
of things that people are just determined to do," he said.

"And eventually, governments seem to throw in the towel and concede
that the only way to regulate those things that the public will
accept is to keep them away from minors and let adults make their own
decisions."

The board's Discussion Paper on Crime and Criminal Justice in British
Columbia surveys the state of crime, criminality and criminal justice
in B.C. and provides recommendations with options to further reduce
crime rates in the province.

It can be read in full at www.bcprogressboard.com.