BOARD PONDERS POT

Leave The Pot To The Politicians, Says School Board Trustee Chris D'arcy.

"They have 305 parliamentarians, and 105 senators who are highly paid to
make these kinds of decisions," he added, regarding a motion in front of
the board to discuss supporting Bill C-17 and the decriminalization of
marijuana.

D'Arcy spoke during School District No 20's regular open board meeting
Monday evening at Stanley Humphries.

He argued the motion be cancelled because the board shouldn't be getting
into the business of saying yes or no to a bill that sits before the House
of Commons.

D'Arcy said the fact the board has opened up the topic for discussion sends
the wrong message to parents, teachers and administrators trying to enforce
zero tolerance policies at local schools.

The motion was brought to the table by trustee Mickey Kinakin last month.
At the time, Kinakin said he was against drugs, but supported the bill
because it would help eliminate the need for long-term punitive action
against youth making poor decisions.

D'Arcy, however, said the issue has been embarrassing for the board, and
leaving it for further discussion was a matter of "bad politics."

School District No. 34, Abbotsford, wrote their MP last month stating
public debate and the government's consideration of Bill C-17 were
adversely contributing to drug problems.

"This legislation, if passed, will most certainly contribute to making B.C.
and Canada a safe haven for drug users, growers and organized crime," wrote
chairperson Joanne Field.