TRAGIC RCMP DEATHS MUST NOT BE REPEATED

The sudden and shocking deaths of four RCMP officers, murdered while
doing their job in Alberta on Thursday, is foremost a heartbreaking
reminder of the danger that police face every day while protecting
us.

They have been identified as Peter Christopher Schiemann, Anthony
Fitzgerald Orion Gordon, Lionide Nicholas Johnston and Broack Warren
Myrol.

Johnston, 33, was an ace marksman.

Myrol, 29, had just taken his first RCMP posting on Valentine's
Day.

The families and communities of these slain officers have our fullest
support and our deepest condolences. We share their pain because their
loss is our loss.

Details are still emerging, but it appears they were shot as they
investigated a marijuana grow operation near Rochfort Bridge, about
130 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.

The four appear to have been ambushed by Jim Roszko, 46, whose own
father describes him as "a wicked devil" who got out of jail a year or
two ago. It appears Roszko killed himself after murdering the officers.

In the midst of our grief, it seems inappropriate to discuss the
politics that may have played a part in how this tragedy unfolded. On
the other hand, perhaps we do need to talk about the whole topic of
marijuana laws with greater urgency so something like this is less
likely to happen again.

Certainly, RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli immediately called
for a crack-down on grow ops and a new look at plans to decriminalize
small amounts of the drug.

Other police spokespersons have echoed the comments, and federal
Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan says she'll consider tougher
penalties for growing marijuana.

Their reaction is understandable under the circumstances. Anger at the
criminals involved with pot production and distribution is natural
after such a grotesque murder of multiple police officers.

But is it the best way to stop the problem? Or will it lead to yet
more deaths in the future?

On the other side of the debate we have former senator and Liberal
leader in Alberta Nick Taylor, who advocates legalizing marijuana
because prohibition doesn't work.

Certainly, we have that lesson from history with alcohol. Early last
century, when alcohol was banned - especially in the U.S. - the
lucrative business was taken over by organized crime and resulted in
deaths of many police officers as well as bootleggers. Maybe we need
to solve the problem the same way with marijuana as we did with booze
- - legalize it, regulate it, tax it.

The problem with marijuana may not be so much that it is intrinsically
harmful - which it is - but that it has been declared criminal and
thus has been given over to the criminal element.

That's also what makes it a "gateway" drug to other substances. Anyone
who wants it needs to deal with criminals rather than going to a
government-regulated outlet. The suppliers, as criminals, are likely
sources of harder drugs. If alcohol were still prohibited, it would
likely be the "gateway" drug for the same reason.

Like alcohol and tobacco and gambling, marijuana has such a
broad-based market that any attempt to ban it is doomed to fail. The
best we can do is regulate it, taking control and profits out of the
hands of organized crime, and educate people about its dangers.

That is no panacea. Problems will remain with marijuana if it is
legalized, just as there are still problems with booze and tobacco and
gambling. But we will not all turn into marijuana zombies overnight
either, just as we are not all alcoholics or smokers or gambling addicts.

If there is ever any good reason for four police officers to die, a
marijuana grow op is not it.

But whatever anyone's feelings about drug laws, the fact is that these
four heroes were upholding to the best of their ability the laws that
are currently in place.

It is a time to reflect on the service police officers render every
day on our behalf, from coast to coast. And to pledge that we will do
everything in our power to stop this from happening again.