DON'T JUMP GUN ON POT LAW, POLICE, PROSECUTORS WARN

"What's the penalty for possession? Twenty years ago people went to jail.
Now they get a discharge. If society hasn't changed, why is that
happening?" -- Police Chief Jack Ewatski

It's business as usual for police and Crown prosecutors even though it
appears Canada's drug laws may be decriminalized in the new year.

For the most part, police were nonchalant yesterday after a special
parliamentary committee on the non-medical use of drugs recommended that up
to 30 grams of marijuana be treated as a regulatory offence and not land
someone a criminal record.

In an initial report Monday, the committee also said heroin addicts in
major cities should have safe-injection sites and needle-exchange programs
to help stop the spread of disease. "Does anyone really care?" one officer
quipped.

Other officers, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the
committee's recommendations appear to be in keeping with how Canadians view
soft drug use.

However, they said they were concerned the discussion in Ottawa over drug
use may send the wrong message to young people -- that drug use is OK and
not harmful.

However, they said they were concerned the discussion in Ottawa over drug
use may send the wrong message to young people -- that drug use is OK and
not harmful.

Crown attorney Pat Flynn said regardless of the committee's
recommendations, police and prosecutors will continue to enforce the law as
it is now -- not as it may be in future.

"If you're caught now, we're proceeding based on the legislation as it is
now," he said. Other provinces have been running marijuana diversion
courtrooms to give first-time offenders a break if they're charged with
possessing a small amount of marijuana. The intent is to give them a second
chance rather than a criminal record.

The committee's report is expected to be favourably received by Justice
Minister Martin Cauchon. He has said that the Chretien government could
bring in legislation early in the new year to decriminalize pot use.

That would include expanded use of courtroom marijuana diversion programs
and enhanced public education campaigns.

RCMP yesterday had no official statement on the committee's
recommendations. An official statement may be released today.

Winnipeg police also did not release any statement on the proposed new drug
law.

However, earlier this year, Police Chief Jack Ewatski said he favoured a
more prudent enforcement campaign that recognized that soft drug use is
widely accepted by Canadians.

"I'm not saying we should turn a blind eye, but at the same time we have to
be realistic," Ewatski said. "We have to look at the reality of the
situation and the level of acceptance people have.

"What's the penalty for possession? Twenty years ago people went to jail.
Now they get a discharge. If society hasn't changed, why is that happening?"