Pubdate: Wed, 07 Jan 2004 Source: Mayerthorpe Freelancer (CN AB) Copyright: 2004 The Freelancer Contact: http://www.mayerthorpefreelancer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/733 Author: Rob Merrifield - Yellowhead MP LIBERALS HURTING OUR FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUGS Alarming Report On Teen Drug Use Mayerthorpe Freelancer - Last week, Health Canada released an alarming report on teen drug use. It showed that almost 85,000 Canadian teens between the ages of twelve and nineteen smoke marijuana daily, and that in 2003 thirty-four percent of teens had tried marijuana more than once -- a dramatic hike from 1993 levels of thirteen per cent. Here in Yellowhead, we are witnessing first-hand the negative effects of increased teen drug use in our schools and on our streets. Drug users and the criminal element that closely follows are tarnishing both our image as a safe place to raise families and the reputation of the majority of youth who have responsibly stayed away from drugs. It is not that we are doing nothing. Our communities have been proactive in holding meetings where parents, citizens, youth and police have come together to discuss the challenges and steps necessary to drive drugs out of Yellowhead. I attended one of these meetings and was pleased to see everyone united in ridding our community of drugs. While Yellowhead battles this problem, the federal Liberals have decided to take an increasingly soft stand on drug use. The Liberals incoherent response to drug us in Canada has left youth with the impression that drug use, particularly pot smoking, is now acceptable. This is especially troubling in Yellowhead where drug dealers have begun to lace marijuana with the highly addictive and dangerous drug methamphetamine, more commonly know as crystal meth. Now is the time to take a tough stand against illegal drugs. We can all agree that the current system in place to deal with marijuana producers and users does not work. The courts are unable, and in many circumstances unwilling, to deal with marijuana possession cases. If the courts are not going to do it then we must give police the necessary tools to effectively deal with marijuana at street level. These tools should include giving police the ability to issue substantial fines on the spot for anyone caught with very small quantities of marijuana. This change must be in conjunction with severe penalties for repeat offenders as well as for those who produce and sell drugs on our streets. We must send the message that drug use, no matter how minor, does have immediate consequences. The federal Liberals solution is to issue small fines to those caught with up to fifty marijuana cigarettes. This is a ridiculous limit that sends the message to Canadian youth that marijuana is not that bad. And despite the efforts of our community to rid our streets and schools of drugs, the Liberals brand of justice includes a youth discount for marijuana possession, even though it is the same offence. I am disappointed that the Liberals have given up on fighting drug use in Canada. Policies like open-ended marijuana decriminalization only seek to make drug use socially acceptable. Stronger legislation, harsher penalties and increased education and available resources to communities and police are the direction we should be moving. I believe that we must get tough on all drugs and am pleased to see that Yellowhead agrees. I will take that message to Ottawa and am currently in the process of drafting a Private Members Bill to help with our community's efforts. Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts or suggestions at 1-800-268-7117 or at www.merrifieldmp.com. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom