WARRING OVER DRUG USE

They sat next to each other and presented their views on what should
be done about the nation's drug wars.

Daryl Plecas, RCMP research chair in the School of Criminal Justice at
the University of the Fraser Valley, and Celerino (Cele) Castillo, a
20-year veteran of American federal law enforcement, discussed ideas
on how to decrease the war on drugs during a debate on drug
prohibition at Abbotsford's Matsqui Centennial Auditorium on Wednesday.

Plecas kicked off the debate, which was moderated by marijuana
activist Tim Felger, by saying where there's crime there's usually
drugs. He does not believe the decriminalization of marijuana will
help to heal the so-called war on drugs.

"There are mountains of evidence that prove marijuana is harmful six
ways to Sunday," he said.

But Plecas did confirm he does not think everyone who smokes is "going
to hell in a hand basket."

He said the drug is harmful only to a certain population of
people.

"The laws are there to protect and deal with a small percentage of
people who abuse the drug."

If marijuana was to be decriminalized the general public would have a
huge bill to pay, said Plecas.

He added that throwing the idea around of decriminalizing marijuana
troubles him due to the fact the government doesn't have the money,
skills or resources as is to properly deal with addicts.

He gave examples of other areas of the world where strict enforcement
on drugs has been working. He said Finland has strict laws and has
reported having nearly zero drug use.

"Drug prohibition is not necessarily a bad thing," said
Plecas.

Drug prohibition has never worked, and if it did work, society
wouldn't be having the problems it is today, rebutted Castillo.

"We need to do something else because we have more drugs now than we
ever have," he said.

If the government enforces more drug prohibition there will be more
smuggling, killing and government corruption, said Castillo.

He said if drugs like marijuana were decriminalized there would be
less money to be made via criminal activity.

Castillo added whether drugs are ever decriminalized or not, citizens,
educators, city officials and local governments have to help and work
closely with law enforcement to find other ways to deal with drugs
other than prohibition.

"We need more treatment, education and prevention, not more
enforcement," he said. "If whatever we try next doesn't work than we
try something else - as long as it's anything other than what we are
doing right now."

Plecas agreed with some points Castillo presented. He offered a
solution when it comes to dealing with harder drugs such as heroine or
crack cocaine. Plecas would like to see a system where addicts could
be provided drugs for free as long as it comes from a doctor and is
used to prevent addiction.

He added the problem with Insite, Vancouver's supervized injection
site, is that users still have to fight to get the drugs they need.

"If I were in command I would say we will help you because nobody
should ever have to say they had to steal or kill to get a fix," said
Plecas.

Tim Felger, who is running for Abbotsford council, introduced Castillo
to Abbotsford Police Chief Bob Rich, Mayor George Ferguson and other
city officials to discuss ways to deal with drug wars other than
simply adding more law enforcement.

Castillo will also speak at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium on Oct. 22.