Pubdate: Fri, 28 Jul 2006
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Langley Times
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Monique Tamminga
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

DRUG IMPAIRMENT LAW COMING

Those who choose to get high and drive may no longer be getting a 
free ride in Canada.

The federal Conservatives are looking at ways to combat drug-impaired 
driving through stronger enforcement legislation that can lead to prosecution.

"Department of Justice lawyers are working on legislation which will 
help police deal with drug-impaired drivers," said Langley MP Mark 
Warawa on Wednesday.

He made the announcement at a press conference organized by the 
Langley RCMP on the issue of teens' lax attitudes toward smoking pot 
and getting behind the wheel of a car. Politicians, police and youth 
counsellors joined forces to say this is a problem that should be 
taken seriously.

Langley resident Helen Featherston knows all too well about the 
dangers of driving high. In April 2002, she lost her 16-year-old son 
Simon in a horrific single-vehicle car crash. Court testimony 
indicated the driver was under the influence of marijuana.

The crash also killed another boy, Dayton Unger.

"I would hope that my son's death would prevent someone else's 
death," said Featherston at the press conference. "We are devastated. 
He was our only child, we were very close."

Simon didn't know the driver of the Mustang. "Parents can't be 
apathetic, if you want to save your child, get in their face about 
things," she said.

The driver, 16 at the time, was the first person in B.C. to be 
charged with drug-impaired driving. Because of a technicality, the 
charge was dropped.

Police are hoping the federal legislation will include allowing for 
mandatory bodily fluid samples from suspected drug impaired drivers.

"Give us the legislation piece that is missing. At roadside checks if 
we suspect someone of drug impaired driving we [want the person] to 
submit a bodily fluid sample," said drug recognition expert and RCMP 
drug awareness co-ordinator Cpl. Beth Blackburn.

At roadside checks, she's seen an increase in teens driving while 
high, many of whom believe it's safe to do.

Warawa worries that mandatory drug-testing wouldn't get past a 
Charter challenge. Through current provincial legislation, police 
can't demand a blood or urine sample for drugs but can for alcohol. 
They can impound a person's car or suspend a driver's licence if they 
suspect the driver of being impaired by drugs.

He's hoping the new legislation will give police more enforcement 
powers as well as increase the ability to prosecute under the Criminal Code.

Also in attendance was B.C. Solicitor General John Les, B.C. 
Coroner's Service's Vince Stancato, Langley school district 
representatives, and Langley's police chief Supt. Janice Armstrong.

All had the same message: Society's lax attitude towards marijuana 
use is having a dangerous impact on teens.

"Thankfully, over the past 40 years there has been a societal shift 
in terms of people's tolerance of drinking and driving. That casual 
attitude is gone," said Les at the press conference. "That same ethic 
has to apply to drug abuse and driving."

In April, 29 teens from Langley high schools were arrested near the 
school grounds for smoking pot.

"The students smoked up during the break and were going to go back to 
class," said Langley police spokesperson Cpl. Diane Blain.

Of the teens arrested, 28 were referred to Langley Youth and Family 
Services, while one was charged with drug trafficking.

"The pervasive belief amongst those teens is [pot] is legal and 
harmless," said LYFS's Jim Smith. "Getting caught may change their 
behaviour but not their attitude. It's acceptable to them and we need 
to shift that perception."

Smith said adults must take some of the blame for supporting 'the 
myths' put out their about pot.

Not many teens realize that Bill C-17, which would have legalized 
possession of small quantities of pot,was defeated, said Warawa.

"Many youth think simple possession is legal. It's not," he said.

Details of the legislation will come out this fall, said Warawa.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman