DRIVING DEALERS TARGETED

A central Alberta MLA is aiming to curb drug dealing with a bill
she's tabled targeting dope-selling criminals and their cars.

Anti-drug crusader Mary Anne Jablonski, a Red Deer Conservative, has
tabled a private member's bill giving police authorization to seize
the vehicles of dealers who have arranged by phone to sell dope.

"There's a new trafficking scheme called dial-a-dope network, where
dealers are using cars to deliver drugs to addicts' doors," Jablonski said.

"And I've heard from a number of parents and people that there's lots
of dealing of drugs from curbs near high schools and junior highs."

Jablonski's intent is to give cops an extra tool to combat drug
dealing by considering it a traffic safety issue.

"Although people will agree with the intent of the bill, MLAs will
say this is a federal issue," Jablonski said.

"But because they are using their vehicle and curb-crawling at times,
we hope to get around that through the Alberta Traffic Safety Act."

The Red Deer MLA said the Bill 207 would allow police to seize cars
being used by traffickers and allow driver's licences to be suspended
for one year if found guilty of trafficking or possessing drugs for
the purpose of dealing.

As well, the bill would put the registered owner of the vehicle on
the hook for the costs of towing, storing and insurance.

"With the laws in place right now, all costs are borne by the police
department or Crown," said Jablonski, who expects Bill 207 to become
law in late May and at least slow down drug dealing.

The bill follows a law passed recently which allows cops to seize
cars from Albertans trying to buy the services of prostitutes.