MAYOR BACKS PLAN FOR DRUG COURTS

Vancouver Mayor Phillip Owen yesterday welcomed a federal proposal to
establish drug courts in major cities over the next three years.

"It's an excellent announcement," he said. "Toronto has had one for
years...so we're looking forward to having one here in Vancouver."

In a discussion paper last month advocating drug courts, Owens said:
"Our approach is, fundamentally, that users are sick and pushers are
evil."

Announcing the plan, Justice Minister Anne McLellan said drug courts
have higher long-term success rates than the straight criminal justice
system where little attention is paid to treatment.

"The costs are infinitesimal compared to what you can save if you
treat these people and turn them into productive citizens," she said.

In a little-noticed section of the Liberal campaign platform, the
party promised to more than double its crime-prevention budget by $145
million over the next four years. The Liberals also committed $420
million to a national drug strategy to tackle substance abuse.

More than 270 addicts have died of overdoses in Vancouver so far this
year.