PANEL WILL DEBATE PROS AND CONS OF WAR ON DRUGS

Is the war on drugs really worth it? That's one of the most
contentious questions in the criminal justice system and one that will
be tackled by leading criminal justice professionals in a live debate
at UCFV Abbotsford later this month.

The debate will take place on Feb. 28, when Dr. Norm Stamper, a
well-known American advocate of ending the war on drugs takes on Dr.
Darryl Plecas, the UCFV/RCMP research chair in criminal justice, and
Abbotsford Chief of Police Ian Mackenzie, who is also a lawyer and
adjunct professor of criminology at UCFV.

"While we will argue that the war on drugs is not a failure, we will
also emphasize that it's not inconsistent to embrace aspects of harm
reduction while also taking a hard enforcement approach to drug laws,"
said Plecas, who has conducted extensive research on the marijuana
industry in Canada.

Stamper, who holds a PhD and is the former Seattle chief of police, is the
author of Breaking Rank: A Top Cop's Expose of the Dark Side of American
Policing. The title of his book refers to going up against police
traditions.

For example, in one chapter, he discusses his argument for the
relaxation of American drug laws, including decriminalization of some
drugs.

The debate starts at 5:30 p.m. in the main lecture theatre (B101) of
the UCFV Abbotsford campus, 33844 King Road.

The public is welcome to attend the debate. Admission is free. Pay
parking applies on the Abbotsford campus.