Pubdate: Sat, 04 Aug 2001
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Michael Petrou
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

DON'T LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, POLICE TELL HEALTH MINISTER

Decriminalization Would Increase Drug Use, Crime: Officers

Canadian police officers have a message for Health Minister Allan Rock as 
he contemplates decriminalizing marijuana: Don't do it.

On Thursday Mr. Rock said he has an "open mind" on calls to decriminalize 
or even legalize the drug.

But RCMP Chief Supt. Robert Lesser, vice-chair of the Canadian Association 
of Chiefs of Police's drug abuse committee, said decriminalization would 
increase the use of a potentially dangerous substance.

"We do not support decriminalization," Chief Supt. Lesser said.

"Until we've got some good, solid research so that we know what the effects 
of cannabis are, for us it would be irresponsible to do anything that would 
increase the use and supply of cannabis."

Chief Supt. Lesser said there has not been enough scientific study into the 
health effects of marijuana. If research conclusively shows the drug is not 
harmful, he said the association would consider support for decriminalization.

"They could come out and say it's the healthiest thing since red wine. And 
that's fine. Or they might say this is even worse than tobacco. We've got 
to know exactly what we're dealing with," he said.

Sgt. John Sinfield, who works in the drug unit of the Ottawa Police, said 
he has seen enough evidence already.

"It's another vice. Right now they're spending millions and millions of 
dollars fighting tobacco and fighting alcohol," he said.

"We're not learning from our mistakes. We're just continually adding to them."

Sgt. Sinfield said he supports marijuana's legalization for medical reasons.

But he said any policy that increases the widespread use of marijuana would 
lead to more crimes currently associated with alcohol, such as theft, 
break-ins and impaired driving.

"It's an illegal substance that gives an alternative feeling to what 
reality is about," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager