MCCAULEY SUPPORTS DECRIMINALIZING NARCOTICS POSSESSION

Sudbury's police chief says he supports the idea of decriminalizing the
possession of small amounts of narcotics, including heroin.

Canada's police chiefs are recommending the federal government take that
step, the National Post has reported.

If the government accepts the proposal, anyone accused of simple possession
of narcotics could sign a guilty statement and pay a fine without having to
go through the court system.

It would also mean the person wouldn't have a criminal record, the newspaper
said in a report from Ottawa.

"I support the direction they're going in," said Sudbury Police Chief Alex
McCauley on Wednesday.

McCauley said the proposal is meant to clear a backlog of drug cases in the
court system and allow police to concentrate their resources on
investigating more serious crimes.

"It's designed to address the main concern - which is attacking the criminal
element dealing with a proliferation of drugs - and getting out of the
criminal system the softer aspects of it.

"Simple possession takes away from the efforts of police getting to the root
of the problem" of trafficking, said McCauley.

He said the proposal does not encourage or condone drug use, but "clears
away the clutter" so police can go after traffickers and not addicts or
recreational drug users.

The plan was approved last week by the directors of the Association of
Canadian Police Chiefs and will be submitted to its members for a vote later
this year.