Pubdate: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 Source: Journal-Pioneer, The (CN PI) Copyright: 2003 Journal-Pioneer Contact: http://www.journalpioneer.com/reader_editor.cfm Website: http://www.journalpioneer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2789 Author: Jim Brown, Journal Pioneer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) FOX PROMISES ZERO TOLERANCE FOR POT POSSESSION BORDEN-CARLETON--Borden-Carleton Police Chief Jamie Fox has promised a zero-tolerance approach for persons charged with simple possession of a drug substance following a provincial court case in Summerside in which a 19-year-old Island man's marijuana possession charge was stayed, after precedents set in Ontario court cases. Fox said his officers have been instructed to apply as many charges as possible to anyone who is found with drugs in their possession. For instance, in the past, if a motorist was pulled over by police after speeding or travelling through a Stop Sign and a small quantity of marijuana and hashish was found, only the more serious charge - possession of that drug, would be laid. Not any more, according to Fox. Now every possible charge, including provincial Highway Traffic Act charges, will be laid, he vowed. That could include such things charges related to unsafe mechanical maintenance, said Fox. No charges will be overlooked in a bid to keep Borden-Carleton's streets safe from so-called "impaired" drivers, driving under the influence of mind-altering substances, he said. Fox said even passenger smoking up in a car's back seat could have a harmful effect on a driver's judgement. Friday Judge Ralph C. Thompson explained in his 11-page decision an Ontario Court of Appeal ruling known as the Parker decision effectively struck down the law that prohibits simple possession. Thompson said it wouldn't be fair to prosecute the man when 12 million Ontarians have immunity to similar charges. But Fox called Friday's court decision, "wrong" and said it should be immediately appealed. In a news release, he stated his department will continue to lay charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as if those charges were valid charges under the Act. "This is an important health issue and further involves basic public safety, the smoking of any substances is harmful is harmful to our health, the smoking of cannibis is 500 times worse," he stated. "Drinking and driving has been proven to kill innocent people, the smoking of cannabis also affects the mind and reactions of people, now put this person behind the wheel of a car, shake the dice and let's see what happens." Cpl. Ken Murray, of the Island RCMP's drug awareness section, says the RCMP will continue to lay possession charges under the Act until told to do otherwise. "It's business as usual," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager