PUNISHMENT DOES NOT FIT CRIME

Whoever said crime does not pay has not witnessed our current judicial system.

A recent sentence in a drug case in Okotoks makes it clear no one is
serious about getting drugs off the streets.

Two weeks ago Okotoks RCMP, acting on a tip, set up a stake out at a
local convenience store in an attempt to apprehend a suspected cocaine dealer.

It appeared as though the RCMP's efforts paid dividends when officers
intercepted what appeared to be a cocaine sale in progress.

All the elements were there for an open and shut case of putting a
drug dealer behind bars: three suspects, a digital scale and more
than six grams of crack cocaine.

Jail time? You could not have been more wrong.

In an obscene misappropriation of justice the alleged drug dealer was
handed a $1,200 fine, while his apparent accomplice had his charges
stayed altogether.

A $1,200 fine? That is likely all in a day's work for a dealer.

Even if the suspect indeed had no intentions of selling his stash, he
was caught with cocaine in his vehicle and that deserves jail time. Period.

Meanwhile, a Calgary man was sentenced to a year in jail for
operating a marijuana grow-op at a Millarville home.

The estimated street value of the drugs was almost $400,000. Police
said the plants had likely been harvested at least twice. Is $1
million worth a year in jail? Five to seven years might yield a
different response.

Might the basis of a good reality show.

How often have politicians and police alike slammed their fists on
the pulpit promising to get tough on drugs? Well, where is this tough action?

RCMP initially charged the suspect with possession for the purpose of
trafficking, but after changing his plea to guilty, his charge was
reduced to simple possession despite a criminal record with similar offences.

Who approved the reduction in sentence? Why? Just to save the court
system time and money?

What is the long-term costs of sending a potential drug dealer back
on the streets?

The judge hearing the Okotoks cocaine case was concerned drugs were
present in a public area and suggested the suspect used the drug in a
"business-like fashion."

Regardless of his suspicions, the judge ignored jail time and was
nice enough to give a fine.

The message being sent is quite the contrary to the "get tough"
mantra. The message sent in Okotoks Provincial Court last week was
that we don't really like drugs, but as long as it is kept in the
shadows out of the public's sight we will tolerate it.

How frustrating it must be for RCMP officers on the street to see
their efforts be so fruitless.

How laughable it must be to drug traffickers and users in the
community to see the potential consequences of their actions.

How frightening it must be for residents in the community to see the
cowardice behind the "get tough on drugs" promise.