DRUG DEALERS FACE TOUGHER PENALTIES

Canadians caught trafficking drugs will spend mandatory time in jail
if new federal Conservative legislation passes.

But critics of the plan say it will just add to prison overcrowding,
while doing little do deter drug dealing.

"We already have existing laws to deal with these people who are a
danger to society," said France Tellier, director for Nanaimo's John
Howard Society. "And, in my view, prison is not a deterrent. (These
laws) would just lead to more overcrowding in institutions."

The proposed changes are part of the government's election promise of
cracking down on crime. Under the current Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act, there is no mandatory jail time for people convicted
under the act. Historically, judges have been left to their own
discretion when sentencing.

If the bill passes - the final reading is scheduled for Dec. 14 in the
House of Commons - jail terms will include a two-year sentence for
dealing cocaine, heroine or methamphetamines, a one-year term if
convicted of dealing drugs with a weapon and a mandatory six-month
sentence for growing marijuana with the purpose of
distribution.

But the law will give judges the option of waiving mandatory jail time
for some offenders in favour of drug treatment court programs. Drug
treatment courts help non-violent offenders, many of whom are addicted
and would benefit more from assistance than jail.

James Lunney, Conservative MP for Nanaimo-Alberni, said the
legislation is designed to go after people and organizations at the
root of Canada's drug supply system.

"We're going to get serious with these people who traffic drugs to
citizens, especially to our young people," said Lunney. "Our message
is we're going to crack down on crime and provide protection,
something we campaigned for.

"People who traffic drugs will no longer have a simple fine - they'll
serve jail time and lose their assets as well."

Jean Crowder, NDP MP for Nanaimo-Cowichan, said her party is concerned
mandatory sentencing will put stress on provincial correction
institutions.

More resources should go to prevention rather than enforcement, she
said.

"It's an imbalanced approach," said Crowder. "We would rather see
resources go toward education and awareness. In the U.S., where they
have mandatory sentencing, many states are asking to reduce sentencing
to reduce (prison) overcrowding. It's not a direction we want to go."

Lunney dismissed the Opposition's argument that drug abuse is a health
problem, not a criminal matter.

"I don't buy that for a minute," said Lunney. "The drug providers we
are targeting are exploiting people at the cost of society."