SUSPENDED SENTENCE

Where's the Deterrent?

Last week's police raid of three Burlington high schools was a waste
of policing resources that likely did little to stem the tide of
increasing drug use among Halton teens.

Let us be clear that this newspaper fully supports the fight against
the illicit drug industry and spinoff crime perpetrated by those who
buy and sell them.

However, we seriously doubt last Thursday's drug enforcement exercise
by Halton police officers accomplished much more than getting two
dozen students in trouble with their parents and possibly suspended
from school.

If the goal of Thursday's arrests was to provide a deterrent to drug
use among our young people, then we would like to know why none of the
24 people arrested for marijuana possession was charged.

A recent report presented by Halton's Medical Officer of Health Bob
Nosal noted that drug use among Halton's youth is running rampant.

An informal survey of school staff, police and youth workers in the
region revealed that cocaine and crack use has increased among young
people.

Some of the survey's more startling statistics include that 1,600
Halton students used cocaine last year and some 9,400 Halton students
reported using cannabis.

It's unlikely a student who is a recreational user of marijuana is
going to suddenly give it up as a result of being grounded by their
parents or briefly suspended by their school.

We can understand police wanting to send a message on this particular
day -- recognized by many marijuana users as '420', a national
'smoking up' day -- but then why wouldn't law enforcement officers
charge any of those found in possession of the drug?

When young people are caught with a small amount of drugs for the
first time, Halton police exercise options ranging from issuing a
warning letter to laying a charge and putting the youth through a
court diversion program.

In cases of trafficking -- when significant quantities of illegal
drugs are found -- police may lay charges, sending the accused through
the youth criminal justice system.

Last week's exercise sends our impressionable young people a message
that getting caught at school with a joint or two will not be met with
any legal consequence.

In this case, the police have left it to parents and the school system
to deliver the punishment.

This soft approach to youths caught in possession of drugs has been
practised in Halton for several years. It's impact on drug use has, at
best, been questionable.

With Halton health officials reporting increased drug use in this age
group, we are not convinced police searches without charges are
deterring high school students from continuing to experiment with drugs.