U.S. DRUG CZAR RAPS LEGAL POT

DETROIT (AP) -- The U.S. drug-enforcement czar yesterday criticized a
movement to legalize marijuana use in Canada, saying it would force
officials to tighten border security even more.

"In my view, you don't make a major decision involving a dangerous drug
without telling people what the dangers are," said John Walters, director
of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Walters was scheduled to tour the U.S.-Canadian border today and meet local
law enforcement and drug-prevention officials.

Tightening security

Walters' trip to Detroit came the same week that Prime Minister Jean
Chretien and U.S. President George W. Bush visited the city to report
progress in tightening security at U.S.-Canadian crossings while keeping
goods flowing between the world's largest trading partners.

The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest crossing point between the U.S. and
Canada.

Walters' comments came a week after a Canadian Senate committee called for
legalizing marijuana use among adults, increasing pressure on the United
States to shift drug laws away from zero-tolerance policies.