250 TOKE UP FOR '4-20'

RED DEER (CP) - Young people came with their slushes, skateboards and some
marijuana for a group toke at Red Deer City Hall park Sunday.

While Mounties watched, a crowd of about 250 people gathered in the spring
sunshine to smoke weed in celebration of ''4-20'' - a police radio code for
smoking pot.

While police frowned at the event, no charges were laid.

''We are here to observe and as far as enforcement decisions, those are
made on an individual basis,'' said Sgt. Gord Glasgow. ''Possession of
marijuana is still against the law." He added police try to encourage youth
to make positive lifestyle choices.

''Using drugs isn't one of them,'' he said.