COPS NOT HAPPY WITH NEW POT LAW

Cops in the Red Deer region are still turning their noses at the federal
government's plan to decriminalize marijuana use.

Police officers added that the proposed softer laws are sending a "bad
message" to young people.

They also say the new legislation will erode the good work law enforcement
agencies have done in schools to warn young people on the dangers of using
drugs, including marijuana.

"We have a school resource officer who has been very successful in
convincing people to not take drugs," said Bill Zens, chief of the Lacombe
Police Service. "I think the message here is extremely bad, which in effect
is saying, 'Marijuana isn't a bad thing'.

"I think it goes totally against our philosophies," added Zens. "I'm
extremely disillusioned with the fact that there is even a consideration of
changing it, which appears to be a done deal."

The legislation to decriminalize marijuana was tabled in the House of
Commons last Tuesday. If passed, the new law will eliminate criminal
penalties for possession of 15 grams of marijuana or less. The federal
government is proposing fines up to $250 for youths and $400 for adults
caught with up to 15 grams of marijuana. Ottawa also plans to set aside an
additional $245 million over the next five years to beef up law enforcement
efforts, and fund education, information, research and treatment programs
aimed at cutting down drug use.

"My concern is for the youth," said Zens. They (federal government) are
giving a mixed message against everything we are pushing.

"The fact that they are in effect saying that occasional use is okay is in
my mind not acceptable, added Zens.

However, Zens said he is encouraged that the new pot bill is proposing
harder penalties for drug trafficking, but he is still giving it a thumbs down.

"The fact that they are in effect saying that occasional use is okay is in
my mind not acceptable," said Zens.

Last week, Red Deer city RCMP Insp. Peter Calvert said he was worried the
new law will make enforcement against drug impaired drivers more difficult.

"If we are going to relax our view on possession does that mean we relax
our view on driving when using it," said Red Deer city RCMP Insp. Peter
Calvert. "Until such time they are able to come up with a methodology of
being able to detect it, consistent as they do with alcohol."

Both Calvert and Zens noted there is no device currently available to
accurately gauge levels of marijuana in a person's blood system, compared
to the well known breathalyser test to check levels of alcohol in the blood
stream.