POT SHOTS TAKEN AT GRIT STANCE

OTTAWA -- Two influential lobby groups say the Chretien government is
putting the cart before the horse in its rush to decriminalize small
amounts of pot for personal use.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon is to introduce the legislation, along with
a national drug strategy, as early as next Tuesday, a senior official has
told Sun Media.

"We're very concerned that decriminalization will be perceived, especially
by our young people, as legalization," said Andrew Murie, executive
director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

"Even though that's not really what's happening, it's the public perception
and yet Parliament hasn't dealt with the whole drugs and driving issue."

A recent survey of Ontario high school students by the Centre for Addiction
and Mental Health showed that 20% of students drove a vehicle within two
hours of using cannabis.

David Griffin, executive officer of the Canadian Police Association, said:
"Kids are getting a message time and time again from our elected officials
that smoking marijuana is not a big deal."

Griffin accused the Liberal government of changing the law before putting
the proper tools in place.

Police can't demand the roadside test for marijuana use like they can
demand the breathalyzer test for alcohol.

Any change would allow police to demand a saliva, urine or blood test.

"It's a very easy process for Parliament to put those things in (the
criminal code).

"And we're very disturbed that there's all this talk about
decriminalization but (the government) hasn't done the fundamentals yet,
said Murie.