DRUG USERS FINANCE TERRORISM, RCMP SAYS

OTTAWA - Canadian drug users are propping up foreign terrorists and
insurgents, the RCMP says.

The hashish, heroin and cocaine consumed in Canada originate in regions of
the globe where terrorists and rebel organizations are involved "to one
extreme or another" in the production, processing or movement of narcotics,
says a new report by the RCMP's criminal intelligence directorate.

Each year hashish and heroin used by Canadians generates as much as
US$40-million for criminal sources in Asian countries such as Pakistan,
while cocaine use provides up to US$50-million for South American parties,
according to the report, Drug Situation in Canada 2001.

"Portions of these proceeds are used to finance terrorist and insurgent
activity abroad. Drug consumers are therefore supporting such terrorist
and insurgent groups."

The statements represent the RCMP's most explicit attempt to date to link
drug use with politically motivated violence.

The report says drug trafficking is gradually returning to usual levels
following a dip during the border crackdown after the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks on the United States.

In the aftermath of the assaults, the total amount of drugs seized at
airports and border crossings in both Canada and the United States
decreased considerably, the RCMP notes. U.S. Customs officials reported a
greater number of drug seizures, but not in the actual quantity of
substances seized. Heightened security at border points simply resulted in
the discovery of more personal stashes of drugs.

Last year, Canadian police and customs officials seized less cocaine,
heroin and hashish than in 2000, but somewhat more marijuana, according to
figures in the report.

Overall, the figures show tighter law-enforcement efforts "can't stop the
flood of drugs into the country", said Eugene Oscapella, a lawyer and
founding member of the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy, an Ottawa-based
group that advocates drug-law reform.

Mr. Oscapella rejects the RCMP's argument that Canadian drug users are
abetting terrorists. Instead, he points a finger at Canadian laws.

"The only reason drugs finance terrorism is because of our policies
prohibiting these drugs," Mr.Oscapeela said. "we are making this drug trade
so extraordinary profitable for terrorist organizations that we might as
well be handing them the cash on a silver platter."