SUPPORT FOR TIGHTER SENTENCING

A new poll shows B.C. residents strongly support a series of proposed
justice reforms to curb gang activity and nearly two-thirds also back
the legalization of marijuana.

Angus Reid Strategies surveyed Canadians across the country and found
at least 95 per cent of the B.C. respondents back mandatory minimum
sentences for serious drug crime like drive-by shootings and
designating gang-related homicide first-degree murder.

Those proposed changes are being spearheaded by the federal
Conservative government.

The B.C. government's call to loosen evidence disclosure laws to allow
speedier prosecution of gangsters also got 86 per cent support in the
province.

Another 80 per cent here support eliminating the "dead time" credit
that gives criminals two-for-one credit for time they spend in jail
awaiting trial.

Support is weaker for expanded police wiretap powers to intercept cell
phone conversations and other wireless data transmissions - 64 per
cent in B.C. were in favour, and 60 per cent nationally.

B.C. was the province most likely to back legalization of marijuana -
64 per cent of respondents support the idea, compared to 50 per cent
nationally.

Two-thirds of B.C. respondents also said the federal government should
not eliminate harm reduction programs such as supervised injection
sites and needle exchanges.

A majority from B.C. (53 per cent) said the federal Tories shouldn't
have scrapped the marijuana decriminalization legislation previously
introduced by the Liberals.

Nearly half of respondents nationally said drug abuse is a national
problem, while 34 per cent said it was confined to specific areas and
people.

The online poll of more than 1,000 people was conducted in late
February.