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. 
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MAP posted-by: Alex