Pubdate: Mon, 18 Mar 2002 Source: National Post (Canada) Copyright: 2002 Southam Inc. Contact: http://www.nationalpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286 Author: Chris Donald Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n468/a04.html?4746 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) DRUG CRIMES Re: It's Agreed: Decriminalize Pot, editorial, March 15. Many Canadians might be surprised to learn that there was a six-month trial of cannabis decriminalization in a borough of London, England, which found that when police officers were not allowed to arrest, or even fine, those in possession of cannabis, there was a 19% increase in arrests for trafficking in "hard"drugs, and an 11% increase in arrest for trafficking in cannabis. Simply put, the test found that massive police resources were freed up to go after traffickers of both hard drugs and cannabis, not to mention real criminals who commit serious crimes. If the idea is to save taxpayers' money while simultaneously freeing up police resources to go after real criminals, all Canadians should keep a close eye on developments in Britain. Chris Donald, Dartmouth, N.S. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex