'CALL TO ACTION'

'Get Out Of Edmonton And Get Out Of Alberta,' Mayor Bill Tells Those
Dabbling In Drug Trade

Recreational drug users, soft court sentences and moves to relax marijuana
possession laws are contributing to an apathy that makes it impossible for
police to stop drug-related murders in Edmonton, says Mayor Bill Smith.

And Smith issued an impassioned plea yesterday, asking all Edmontonians to
help beleaguered police launch a true war against drugs.

"This is a call to action," Smith said.

"This is everyone's fight. It's not one that we can win alone, and if we
lose, the cost in lives and property will be huge."

Smith's comments came in the wake of Edmonton's latest murder early
Wednesday in Mill Woods, which cops say is drug-related. A teenager was
shot and killed just before 2:30 a.m. as he sat in the driver's seat of a
blue Mazda near 85 Street and Knottwood Road.

"All of us need to declare war on drugs in Alberta and in Canada, and we
need to support the police right across this country," Smith said. "I know
people will say that we are already doing this, but I say to them that we
must do more."

Parents should watch their kids carefully and talk to them about the
dangers of drugs, said Smith.

Educators should have zero tolerance for drug use, and kick out students
who bring drugs into schools, he said.

Courts need to impose tougher sentences for drug offences, the province
needs to arm police with more drug-busting resources, and the federal
government has to back off plans to raise marijuana possession limits,
which Smith calls "a huge mistake."

The entire community, including service clubs, must keep the issue in the
spotlight, learning to watch for signs of illegal drug use and calling in
he lp when needed, he said.

And recreational drug users need to realize that all illegal drug use
either directly or indirectly supports organized crime, Smith said.

"We've had, since the year 2000, 14 fatal shootings around this area (plus
the most recent death). That's significant, and I've watched this grow, I
believe.

"But one of my main concerns is, I don't want this community or this
province or this country to slide into complacency that some level (of drug
use) is acceptable," Smith said.

"Finally, to those people who seek profit in the drug trade and to those
who support the drug trade by purchasing drugs - get out of Edmonton and
get out of Alberta."

Deputy chief Mike Bradshaw, who joined Smith for the public appeal, agreed
police need all the support they can get.

"We recognize that simply using the tactic of suppression will not diminish
in any way, shape or form the drug problem in the city," Bradshaw said.

"We also recognize the police cannot do it all on their own, and we also
know that intervention and prevention is a huge part of the solution.

"The drug problem is significant, and tied in very closely with the gang
issue that we're dealing with... We don't want to read in the morning about
another teenager who's joining the ever-growing list (of murder victims) in
the city here. It's sad."