Pubdate: Mon, 20 Nov 2006
Source: Lindsay Daily Post (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Lindsay Daily Post
Contact:  http://www.thepost.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2333
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1544/a04.html
Author: Wayne Phillips

LEGISLATION IS WRONG

Re: Police wonder about testing methods, Nov. 15, 2006

Until recently I was a supporter of MADD's mission, to stop impaired 
driving and to support victims of this crime. While I still see that goal 
as commendable, I'm left wondering if MADD has degenerated into an assembly 
of temperance dogmatists with a proverbial bee in their collective bonnets 
over substance use and little else. Has MADD gone mad!

Legislation targeting stoned drivers is a potential disaster waiting to 
happen. Especially since Stephen Harper gutted funding for drug testing; 
whether new funds are forthcoming and the amount, remain in question. Even 
the police are wondering about how they would enforce it.

Considering the fact that City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service Chief John 
Hagarty says it must be done in the "least invasive" way possible for 
citizens strongly suggests that at least one police service chief is 
anticipating a potential for concern. Will this "tool" alter the way police 
determine who gets stopped?

Obviously those who drive erratically or display overt signs of impairment 
would be pulled over as usual, but will this legislation be so open-ended 
so as to extend to police the power to pull over any driver they think 
looks like they might smoke pot/use drugs? Will those who fit stereotypes 
of appearance, race, age, mannerisms, become likely candidates for spot 
checks? Will this legislation be used to establish new criteria 
legitimizing further general expansion of police powers with even fewer 
checks and stop guards in place?

Once this legislation is publicized will police be able to anticipate the 
potential for panic the mere idea of police scrutiny might afford to some 
who realize that if they're stopped the residue from the cannabis they 
smoked last week would be grounds enough to warrant charges leading to a 
possible conviction? Will Harper be allotting funding for crystal balls, as 
well?

Haphazard legislation targeting stoned drivers provides another reason for 
the very long list of very sound reasons for why various pro-drug 
legalization affiliations, including Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, 
an organization for which I am a speakers bureau co-ordinator, will prevail 
in the end.

Wayne Phillips,

Hamilton
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom