WHITE FEARS FOR CHILDREN WILL BILL C-17

Abbotsford MP Randy White fears a bill that calls for the decriminalization
of marijuana will give school children "the green light" to light up.

White began a cross-country campaign against Bill C-17 at Monday night's
Abbotsford school board meeting, pleading with local school trustees to
inform parents about the potential hazards of the bill.

White says from the feedback he's been getting "most people think the
decision is to legalize. Many young people are getting the idea they're
getting a green light."

If the bill passes it would mean possession of small quantities of
marijuana would be treated similar to traffic fines. Possession of 15 grams
of marijuana [about 30 joints] or less would mean adults would pay $150 and
minors would pay a $100 fine.

White has a problem with the definition of a minor, which the bill refers
to as kids over 11.

"I'm very much afraid of the message it's going to send for anyone over the
age of 11, and it is coming," said White, noting there were 1,482 kids in
Grade 6 and 1,592 in Grade 7 in Abbotsford last school year. "Bill C-17
does little to discourage marijuana use among young people."

Abbotsford school board trustees - known for their vigilance against drugs
- - agreed wholeheartedly with the local MP. Trustee Uultsje DeJong told
White he is "the voice of reason out in the wilderness it seems at times."

"It [the bill] just doesn't make sense," said DeJong, noting there are
about 420 known chemicals in marijuana. "We have to get the message out as
much as we can to our parents."

Added school board vice-chairman John Smith: "The drug problem is an
epidemic. If we don't take it seriously I really have a lot of fears."

Bill C-17 is scheduled to be sent to a House of Commons committee in early
February. "Many Canadians don't know or understand what's coming out on
this bill," said White. "If it goes ahead I at least want parents to know
the consequences."