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Albertans Using Pot In Record Numbers

Albertans are just saying "yes" in record numbers, and local narcotics
officers are raising the alarm over the increase in recreational drug
use. Statistics Canada figures released yesterday show cannabis use in
Alberta has gone up by nearly 50% in less than a decade, while drug
use across Canada is on the increase.

City police say the report is worrying.

"What also concerns us is the potency of the marijuana has increased
substantially," said acting Staff Sgt. Roger Morrison.

"It has been established as a gateway drug ... and knowing our very
large marijuana grow operation problem in Calgary, we certainly don't
want to be dealing with more users."

In fact, national percentages rose by close to 65% during the
eight-year period -- from 1994 to 2002 -- with the highest rates among
teens, according to StatsCan.

That works out to about three million Canadians, or 12.2%, who used
cannabis at least once in the previous year, the federal agency said.

That figure was 7.4% in 1994.

Despite the statistical smoking gun, the federal government is blazing
ahead with a controversial plan to relax pot laws.

Prime Minister Paul Martin vowed to bring back the controversial bill
that died when Parliament closed for the election.

"The legislation on marijuana -- the decriminalization of minor
quantities of marijuana -- that legislation will be re-introduced," he
said.

Admitting he's concerned, new Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh suggested
pot consumption might decrease with decriminalization.

"My view is that if you make something illegal, some people are more
attracted to it -- it's just the high in getting something in a
stealth fashion," he said.

StatsCan also found a higher proportion of Canadians were taking other
illegal drugs, such as cocaine, crack, ecstasy, LSD and other
hallucinogens.

Overall, 2.4% of the survey's almost 37,000 respondents, all aged 15
or older, reported using at least one of these other drugs in the
previous year -- up from 1.6% in 1994.

Over that eight years, the number of Albertans who say they've lit up
a joint has jumped from 9% to 13%, StatsCan said.

The biggest stoner province remained B.C. at about 16% -- up from 12%
in 1994.

The nation's lowest rate was recorded in Manitoba -- which stayed at
roughly 9%.