POLICE CHIEF SAYS SOFTENING POT LAWS SENDS MIXED MESSAGE TO YOUTHS

Potentially looser laws on marijuana possession have received lukewarm
support locally, but Halton's police chief has expressed concern youths are
getting a mixed message about drug use.

A Commons committee, chaired by Burlington MP Paddy Torsney, recommended
last week that Canadians should be allowed to grow and carry around 30
grams of marijuana for personal use at the risk only of a ticket and fine,
not a criminal record. Marijuana would remain an illegal substance and
trafficking in any amount would still be a crime.

Legislation on the matter could be introduced early next year.

Halton Regional Police Services Chief Ean Algar said the police service, in
keeping with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police recommendation,
supports possession of a small quantity of marijuana be treated as a
non-criminal offence, but he stressed, that would be for the first offence
only and at the police officer's discretion.

He said that recommendation is in line with what is already occurring in
the courts.

Algar stressed that recommendation comes with the caveat that a renewed
National Drug Strategy be put in place that would include public education,
a health component and harsher penalties for dealing and production of drugs.

Algar however, is not happy with the message he believes is being put out
in the media as a result of the committee's recommendation.

"It shouldn't be the message that drugs are okay," said Algar. "I'm
disappointed in the way this is evolving.

"The youth of our community are confused," said Algar.

He elaborated by saying Halton's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.)
officers are being asked by area students if drugs are good or bad.

"They should be sending a clear message that drug use is unacceptable and
this seems to be lost in this whole issue," he said.

"The focus should be on drug dealing and cultivation," the chief added.

Included in the committee's recommendation are more drug prevention and
education programs on the risk of marijuana use, especially to young
people. The committee would also like to see a test to measure the drug
impairment level of drivers, similar to the blood alcohol meters now available.

"I really think it probably makes sense to decriminalize possession," said
Halton MP Julian Reed, who stressed he doesn't condone marijuana use. "The
police have a lot more important things to do."

When asked if he would support the recommendation he said he supports the
concept, but he'll "wait to see the bill."

"I want to see the legislation and be able to establish it does what it is
intended to do and does not encourage the drug trade."

Ian Stewart, executive director of ADAPT, (Alcohol and Drug and Gambling
Assessment Prevention and Treatment) a Halton-based agency, said the change
to the law is "something that does make sense from a lot of perspectives."

"I don't condone its (marijuana) use at all," stressed Stewart.

"In many ways I think a strong fine may be more of a deterrence (than the
current criminal record)," said Stewart.

"I don't think it will lead to increased use," he said.

He added if preventing use is the real issue, a multi-pronged approach is
needed including enforcement, prevention, education, research and treatment.

Halton Region Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal said neither he or
the region's health department have an official position on decriminalizing
marijuana possession, calling it a "federal issue."

"For any substance use or abuse, be it tobacco, alcohol or marijuana my
view, and the public health position is...these issues need to be dealt
with with comprehensive programming."

Maggie Waligora, a registered nurse, and chief operating officer of the
Halton Hills-based Art of Healthy Living Inc., which offers a support group
for parents of teens with drug and crime problems, is opposed to the
proposed change.

"I don't think it should be allowed at all," said Waligora. "Marijuana is
the gateway drug to other drugs. I see it will increase the usage."

She said she is hearing from young people that they are interpreting the
message to mean that marijuana possession is going to be legal and "in
their mind it's legal and it's okay."

Waligora believes a criminal record is more a deterrent than a fine. "Kids
that are afraid of the law, they won't try it," she said.

"Decriminalizing the drug will surely increase its availability to our
youth and compromise the work done by our rehabilitation and detention
centres," said Dr. Christopher Eriksson, CEO of the Art of Healthy Living
Inc. in a letter to Reed.