News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: Former Judge, Cop Will Speak On Regulating Drugs |
| Title: | CN BC: Former Judge, Cop Will Speak On Regulating Drugs |
| Published On: | 2007-05-18 |
| Source: | Abbotsford Times (CN BC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-12 05:47:18 |
FORMER JUDGE, COP WILL SPEAK ON REGULATING DRUGS
Drugs - keep them illegal, or regulate and tax them. If you have an
opinion, organizers for this upcoming debate on street drugs in
Abbotsford are still looking for panel members to participate.
The two-part debate will discuss the current illegal status of street
drugs and alternatives to their prohibition, said Tim Felger, local
marijuana activist and debate organizer.
The debates take place at 7 p.m. on May 22 and on June 12, at the
Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, [Abbotsford City Hall], at 32315 South
Fraser Way.
Speaking in support of ending the prohibition of street drugs on both
those dates will be retired B.C. provincial judge Jerry Paradis and
retired Vancouver Police officer Tony Smith, who worked on gang issues.
Both are members of LEAP, or Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, a
5,000-member organization of current and former judges, police
officers, lawyers and others in North America who support drug
regulation rather than prohibition. Their argument is that drugs are
too dangerous to be in the hands of criminals.
Abbotsford Police Chief Ian Mackenzie will speak for continued law
enforcement on May 22.
For the June 12 date, Dr. Darryl Plecas will take over that role.
Plecas teaches criminology at the University College of the Fraser
Valley, and is the RCMP research chair in crime reduction and a
director with UCFV's Centre for Criminal Justice Research.
More speakers are invited to take part.
"We're still open for people to debate, we're still welcoming people
to participate [on the panel] for the prohibition side," said Felger.
On the first night, speakers will define the problem of drug use and
its costs. On the second night, they will explore options to
prohibition, or reasons to maintain it.
Citizens should attend because the debate identifies the problem in a
prohibition context, said Felger.
"People haven't framed the issue as 'drug prohibition.' But that's
what's causing the gangs, that's what's causing the violence, the car
thefts, the home invasion, the street prostitution, the homelessness
- - essentially all drug-related crime," said Felger.
To take part as a panel speaker, call 604-866-1420.
Drugs - keep them illegal, or regulate and tax them. If you have an
opinion, organizers for this upcoming debate on street drugs in
Abbotsford are still looking for panel members to participate.
The two-part debate will discuss the current illegal status of street
drugs and alternatives to their prohibition, said Tim Felger, local
marijuana activist and debate organizer.
The debates take place at 7 p.m. on May 22 and on June 12, at the
Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, [Abbotsford City Hall], at 32315 South
Fraser Way.
Speaking in support of ending the prohibition of street drugs on both
those dates will be retired B.C. provincial judge Jerry Paradis and
retired Vancouver Police officer Tony Smith, who worked on gang issues.
Both are members of LEAP, or Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, a
5,000-member organization of current and former judges, police
officers, lawyers and others in North America who support drug
regulation rather than prohibition. Their argument is that drugs are
too dangerous to be in the hands of criminals.
Abbotsford Police Chief Ian Mackenzie will speak for continued law
enforcement on May 22.
For the June 12 date, Dr. Darryl Plecas will take over that role.
Plecas teaches criminology at the University College of the Fraser
Valley, and is the RCMP research chair in crime reduction and a
director with UCFV's Centre for Criminal Justice Research.
More speakers are invited to take part.
"We're still open for people to debate, we're still welcoming people
to participate [on the panel] for the prohibition side," said Felger.
On the first night, speakers will define the problem of drug use and
its costs. On the second night, they will explore options to
prohibition, or reasons to maintain it.
Citizens should attend because the debate identifies the problem in a
prohibition context, said Felger.
"People haven't framed the issue as 'drug prohibition.' But that's
what's causing the gangs, that's what's causing the violence, the car
thefts, the home invasion, the street prostitution, the homelessness
- - essentially all drug-related crime," said Felger.
To take part as a panel speaker, call 604-866-1420.
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