MINISTERIAL AIDE WAS ON LEAVE FOR ADDICTION WHEN DRUG CHARGE LAID

VICTORIA -- A B.C. government ministerial aide charged with possession for
the purpose of drug trafficking told CTV news yesterday he is innocent of
all charges.

Marshall Smith was arrested Thursday afternoon in downtown Victoria and
charged with possession of crystal methamphetamine for the purpose of
trafficking.

"There was no, no narcotics found on my person whatsoever," Marshall said.
"The charges that the police are alleging are not true."

In the CTV interview, Smith admitted that he is trying to overcome an
alcohol and amphetamine addiction, but said he is currently clean.

Sol.-Gen. Rich Coleman said the charges had nothing to do with Smith's
government work and that he had been suspended without pay pending the
outcome of the investigation.

The minister confirmed Smith had taken a leave to deal "with some personal
issues he had identified to us" that related to an addiction.

Smith said he was arrested while picking up a friend who is on bail.

Victoria police said there was nothing to indicate a connection between
Smith's arrest and an earlier drug investigation that spawned a separate
probe leading to the legislature raids.