Pubdate: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 Source: Time Magazine (Canada) Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.timecanada.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1115 Author: Bernard Etzinger Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1194/a11.html BORDER BUSINESS Your article about smuggling marijuana from Canada into the U.S. [Aug. 23] did not fairly describe how diligently Canada addresses the problems of illicit drugs. We take the issue of drug trafficking in both directions across our shared border very seriously. The cooperation between our governments and law-enforcement agencies is a model for the international community. In recent months, binational law-enforcement teams have successfully dismantled numerous criminal drug networks. The increase in marijuana seizures is a reflection of greater law enforcement along the border. Canada and the U.S. have expanded intelligence sharing. Still, only 2% of the total marijuana that the U.S. seizes at all its borders is produced in Canada, which has the same objectives as the U.S.: to reduce the supply and consumption of illicit drugs and the harm they cause society. Bernard Etzinger, Spokesperson Canadian Embassy Washington - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake