CHIEF DEFENDS APPROACH

Resources Could Be Put To Better Use, Officer Says

York Regional Police Chief Armand La Barge's war on marijuana grow houses
is siphoning resources from efforts to control other, more serious drugs,
says the head of the police union.

"We are focusing too much on marijuana," John Miskiw, president of the York
Regional Police Association, said during a public meeting on staffing and
funding issues Thursday night.

Police resources used to shut down marijuana grow houses -- residential
units in which hundreds of plants are grown, typically using stolen
electricity -- should be used to tackle more serious street drugs, such as
crack cocaine and heroin.

"We've seen what goes on," Mr. Miskiw, a former drug and vice cop, said.

"For the last year, our drug unit has not been spending any time whatsoever
on (the harder drugs)."

The statement was an obvious challenge to the chief, who has identified the
detection and closing down of grow houses as a high priority for the force.

Hundreds of grow houses were raided and millions of dollars worth of
marijuana seized has been seized by York police. The campaign continues,
with numerous seizures in Maple and Stouffville in the past week alone.

Newspapers often feature pictures of officers carrying great clumps of
marijuana from houses. The value of the dope seized is touted as being in
the millions.

Chief La Barge said he makes no apology for his aggressive stance on grow
houses.

He has often cited the dangers to neighbourhoods grow houses present.

"I have seen what happens to a community when you don't deal with these
issues," the chief said.

"(Grow houses) are in our neighbourhoods; they could be right next door to
you."

The chief has also been a vocal opponent of the federal government's move
to reduce penalties for simple possession of marijuana.