DON'T LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, POLICE TELL HEALTH MINISTER

Decriminalization Would Increase Drug Use, Crime: Officers

Canadian police officers have a message for Health Minister Allan Rock as
he contemplates decriminalizing marijuana: Don't do it.

On Thursday Mr. Rock said he has an "open mind" on calls to decriminalize
or even legalize the drug.

But RCMP Chief Supt. Robert Lesser, vice-chair of the Canadian Association
of Chiefs of Police's drug abuse committee, said decriminalization would
increase the use of a potentially dangerous substance.

"We do not support decriminalization," Chief Supt. Lesser said.

"Until we've got some good, solid research so that we know what the effects
of cannabis are, for us it would be irresponsible to do anything that would
increase the use and supply of cannabis."

Chief Supt. Lesser said there has not been enough scientific study into the
health effects of marijuana. If research conclusively shows the drug is not
harmful, he said the association would consider support for decriminalization.

"They could come out and say it's the healthiest thing since red wine. And
that's fine. Or they might say this is even worse than tobacco. We've got
to know exactly what we're dealing with," he said.

Sgt. John Sinfield, who works in the drug unit of the Ottawa Police, said
he has seen enough evidence already.

"It's another vice. Right now they're spending millions and millions of
dollars fighting tobacco and fighting alcohol," he said.

"We're not learning from our mistakes. We're just continually adding to them."

Sgt. Sinfield said he supports marijuana's legalization for medical reasons.

But he said any policy that increases the widespread use of marijuana would
lead to more crimes currently associated with alcohol, such as theft,
break-ins and impaired driving.

"It's an illegal substance that gives an alternative feeling to what
reality is about," he said.