HARPER PLEDGES TO GET TOUGH ON DRUGS

Burnaby, B.C. -- Stephen Harper said Saturday a Conservative
government will be tough on drug crime and make it much more difficult
for people convicted of drug offences to peddle their wares to children.

At a press conference in Burnaby, B.C., the Conservative leader said
he would impose mandatory minimum sentences of at least two years for
people who are convicted of trafficking, selling or importing hard
drugs, like heroin, cocaine and crystal meth. He would ban conditional
sentences, or house arrest, for for all indictable offences and
increase fines to reflect the true value of the profit that can be
made for dealing the banned substances.

Unlike the Liberals, the Conservatives would not decriminalize
marijuana. Instead, they say they would introduce a national drug
strategy that would target keeping substances away from young people.

Harper says Vancouver and many other parts of Canada, particularly
Saskatchewan, have experienced social disruptions because of the
increased use of crystal meth and many members of the Conservative
caucus have been outspoken on the issue. Mr. Harper said a
Conservative government would work to get drugs off the streets and
out of neighbourhoods.

Mr. Harper is scheduled to travel to Victoria on Saturday afternoon
for a pep rally with Conservative candidates.