DRUG BILL TOO HARSH

Proposed mandatory prison sentences for drug use and trafficking are
too harsh for all but hardened criminals, said the head of a
nation-wide students advocacy group.

Criminalization (of drugs) has failed and it is time to start a
sensible drug policy," said Caleb Chepesiuk, executive director of
Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy, commenting on Bill S-10
which is being debated in parliament.

The group is a grassroots organization based in Ottawa and has
university and college campus chapters across the country that are
concerned about the negative impact Canada's drug policies have.

The Controlled Drug and Substances Act outlines that trafficking
would be treated most stringently where youth might frequent, said
Chapesiuk. "That could be anywhere."

Prison sentences for serious drug crimes should reflect the
escalating danger that is created in within society, said the
Department of Justice.

According to Health Canada, youth aged 15-24 use marijuana, ecstasy
and painkillers more often than any other age group.

The bill proposes that trafficking would include selling and sharing
drugs and "this is where students will get swept up," said Chapesiuk.

Trafficking would have an automatic two-year prison sentence and it
does not offer the possibility of community service as an alternative.

Humber President John Davies said the justice system "should be open
to different circumstances for different people."

Mandatory prison sentences are not a useful solution, he said.

Drug use and trafficking should be addressed before it becomes a
problem, said Davies.

The bill was announced by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson in Montreal
last Aug. 4.

Carole Saindon, from media relations for the Ministry, said there was
nothing further to remark on the bill before there is further
legislative debate.