TORIES REVIVE BILL TO INCREASE DRUG-RELATED SENTENCES

(CNS) - The Conservative government revived a bill Friday to impose
automatic jail terms for drug-related crimes, including growing as
little as one marijuana plant for the purpose of trafficking.

The proposed legislation, which Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said
is designed to target organized crime, mirrors a 2007 bill that died
when the Oct. 14 general election was called.

"Mandatory prison sentences are appropriate for those who commit
serious drug offences threatening our society," Nicholson said.

The proposed legislation would impose six months for growing one to
200 marijuana plants to sell, and two years for big-time growers of
500 plants or more.

The sentence would be increased to two years for dealing drugs such
as cocaine, heroin or methamphetamines to young people, or pushing
drugs near a school or other places frequented by youths.

The bill also revives a failed initiative from the previous Liberal
government to increase maximum imprisonment to 14 years from seven
for running grow operations.

The legislation, however, gives judges leeway to impose suspended
sentences for drug addicts who agree to enter treatment programs.

Critics oppose automatic minimum sentences because they eliminate a
judge's discretion to impose sentences.

Opposition parties warned during the last Parliament that they would
vote against the bill, partly because automatic sentences in the
United States have not worked in reducing drug crime, they said.