DECORATED PROFESSOR TO SPEAK ON ANTI-DRUG LAWS

Victoria residents who feel Canada's anti-drug laws have little effect in
controlling illicit drug use will have a heavy hitter in their court during
an informational lecture tomorrow (Jan. 10).

Dr. Jim Hackler, professor emeritus from the University of Alberta, a
part-time professor of sociology at the University of Victoria and the
author of several books on criminal policy in Canada, will be speaking
about laws relating to illicit drugs at the downtown branch of the Greater
Victoria Public Library. The presentation will start at 7 p.m.

Hackler's appearance is being sponsored by the British Columbia
Anti-Prohibition League, a group that lobbies for the de-criminalization of
marijuana and other drug law reform.

"Even though I may not agree with all their strategies, I do agree that the
present legislation is very destructive," says Hackler, the 1998 winner of
the Herbert Bloch Award from the American Society of Criminology.

"At the present time it's quite clear in my mind that we have practices and
procedures and laws that give one of the most profitable businesses in the
world to the most ruthless criminals in the world."

Medical marijuana advocate and supplier Ted Smith, who had his Victoria
bookshop raided last Thursday and seven pounds of pot and other related
products seized by police, is also supporting the Anti-Prohibition League
in its efforts to rekindle interest in the organization.