EXPERIENCE GIVES CONSTABLE DRUG SCENE EXPERTISE

It is with some interest that I have followed The Sun's sensationalized
coverage devoted to the private e-mail of Al Arsenault (Officer sees
'right-wing' fix for drug mess, Oct. 26; Marijuana activist critical of
sergeant's war on drugs, Oct. 29). I would like to clarify a few points.

First, Al Arsenault is not a sergeant. He has chosen to remain a constable,
and he is not interested in obtaining a promotion, even if it comes as a
fringe benefit from a poorly researched article.

Secondly, the last time I checked, Canadian citizens are entitled to
certain rights, rights that are superimposed over all law, and guaranteed
under the legal authority of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
(1982). One of these fundamental rights is the freedom of expression

(2-b). Just as Marc Emery is free to extol the virtues of smoking
marijuana, Al Arsenault should be allowed his perspective on the drug problem.

Lastly, I would like to address a statement made by Mayor Philip Owen about
Constable Arsenault's views: "It is unbelievable that he (Arsenault) could
be so ignorant and make such statements ...".

Al Arsenault is a dedicated and loyal police officer with more than two
decades of experience on the street. He has spent thousands of nights
policing the Downtown Eastside, and it is here that he has dealt firsthand
with the drug issue. His knowledge has been bolstered by hundreds of hours
of research on the topic of drug addiction and treatment, as well as the
significant personal time he spends working with health professionals,
recovery houses, addicts and their families.

Although his opinion may differ from the mayor on the merits of "harm
reduction" as a policy unto itself, this does not relegate his position to
one of "ignorance." Far from it.

Toby Hinton

Vancouver Police Department