COMMITTEE SENDS MIXED MESSAGE OVER POT USE: CHIEF

Algar Responds To Commons Report

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
recently that Canadians should be allowed to grow and carry about 30 grams
of marijuana for personal use at the risk of only 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 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 the 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 the 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 OK," said Algar. "I'm
disappointed in the way this is evolving.

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

Proof of that is that Halton's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
officers are being asked by area students if drugs are good or bad, Algar said.

"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 nor
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 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 OK."

Waligora believes a criminal record is more of 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.