NO COURT FOR POT BUSTS?

First-time offenders in Abbotsford charged with possession of marijuana may
avoid facing a courtroom if a "marijuana diversion" program goes ahead.

The Canadian Department of Justice offered Abbotsford the option of being
one of four pilot project sites in B.C. to offer a diversion program. The
police board approved the proposal, but further discussions with the
Department of Justice and Crown Counsel will occur before the program
starts in Abbotsford.

Deputy Chief Paul Tinsley said he welcomes a systematic approach to the
diversion program.

This would give police officers the option of charging first-time offenders
with a criminal offence or sending them to the diversion program, said Tinsley.

The program - working with the Elizabeth Fry Society - would divert
offenders to do community work, for example, and educate them about the
health risks associated with using marijuana, said Tinsley.

He noted that this would not be an option for offenders charged with
possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

In addition, the offender must have no previous record, or be charged while
on school property or driving.

Other cities offered the choice to have a diversion program are: Surrey,
Sydney and Vancouver (North Shore). If successful, the program may be
expanded across B.C.

The Department of Justice also proposed to expand the diversion program to
deal with other drugs - but the Abbotsford Police opposes that concept.
"What would that include? Cocaine? Heroin? I think the community has a
right to have input on whether to extend the program to include other
drugs," said Tinsley, adding that he doesn't think the public would support it.

He noted that the number of people in Abbotsford charged with simple
possession of marijuana is relatively low.

In fact, the number of drug charges has dropped by 54 per cent in
Abbotsford during the past year, according to the latest police board
statistical report (June 2001).

There were 218 charges under the Controlled Drug Substances Act this year
compared to 473 for the same time period in 2000.