POLICING COSTS TO RISE?

With Pot Decriminalization Law

OTTAWA (CP) -- The federal plan to decriminalize possession of small
amounts of marijuana could increase policing costs, not reduce them as many
predict, state internal RCMP notes. The revelation is among several
uncertainties and reservations regarding the proposed pot bill spelled out
in newly disclosed briefing materials prepared by the national police force.

The Mounties take issue with the oft-repeated assertion that the existing
pot law is enforced unevenly across Canada, and express concern about some
elements of the new legislative package.

RECORD NUMBER

Several pages of RCMP notes, compiled from May through December of last
year, were obtained by Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.

The latest statistics show police laid a record number of drug-related
charges in 2002, with 75% of the 93,000 incidents involving pot.

Under the bill currently before Parliament, possessing 15 grams or less of
marijuana -- about 15 to 20 joints -- would no longer be a criminal matter
but a ticketing offence punishable by a fine of $150 for an adult or $100
for a youth.

Some advocates argue the legislative proposals will free up valuable police
time for more serious matters, but the Mounties remain to be convinced.

The Mounties believe a key factor would be how many of the tickets issued
under the new proposals end up being challenged.

"If a large percentage of the tickets issued were contested in court and
police officers were called to testify, our costs might actually increase."