LEGISLATION IS WRONG

Re: Police wonder about testing methods, Nov. 15, 2006

Until recently I was a supporter of MADD's mission, to stop impaired
driving and to support victims of this crime. While I still see that goal
as commendable, I'm left wondering if MADD has degenerated into an assembly
of temperance dogmatists with a proverbial bee in their collective bonnets
over substance use and little else. Has MADD gone mad!

Legislation targeting stoned drivers is a potential disaster waiting to
happen. Especially since Stephen Harper gutted funding for drug testing;
whether new funds are forthcoming and the amount, remain in question. Even
the police are wondering about how they would enforce it.

Considering the fact that City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service Chief John
Hagarty says it must be done in the "least invasive" way possible for
citizens strongly suggests that at least one police service chief is
anticipating a potential for concern. Will this "tool" alter the way police
determine who gets stopped?

Obviously those who drive erratically or display overt signs of impairment
would be pulled over as usual, but will this legislation be so open-ended
so as to extend to police the power to pull over any driver they think
looks like they might smoke pot/use drugs? Will those who fit stereotypes
of appearance, race, age, mannerisms, become likely candidates for spot
checks? Will this legislation be used to establish new criteria
legitimizing further general expansion of police powers with even fewer
checks and stop guards in place?

Once this legislation is publicized will police be able to anticipate the
potential for panic the mere idea of police scrutiny might afford to some
who realize that if they're stopped the residue from the cannabis they
smoked last week would be grounds enough to warrant charges leading to a
possible conviction? Will Harper be allotting funding for crystal balls, as
well?

Haphazard legislation targeting stoned drivers provides another reason for
the very long list of very sound reasons for why various pro-drug
legalization affiliations, including Law Enforcement Against Prohibition,
an organization for which I am a speakers bureau co-ordinator, will prevail
in the end.

Wayne Phillips,

Hamilton