Pubdate: Fri, 05 Oct 2007
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Meagan Fitzpatrick and Randy Shore, with files from Cindy E. Harnett
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Supervised Injection Sites)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

DRUG STRATEGY TAKES AIM AT 'SERIOUS' CRIME

Mandatory Prison Sentences Key to Ottawa's $64-Million Crackdown

WINNIPEG -- The federal government will introduce legislation this 
fall setting out mandatory minimum prison sentences for people 
convicted of "serious" drug crimes, Prime Minister Stephen Harper 
said yesterday.

"Currently, there are no minimum prison sentences for producing and 
trafficking dangerous drugs like methamphetamines and cocaine," 
Harper told a news conference.

"But these are serious crimes; those who commit them should do serious time."

The $63.8-million national anti-drug strategy also promises more 
resources for identifying and closing down marijuana-growing 
operations, although Harper would not say whether marijuana growers 
would face tougher sentences.

About $22 million of the funding would go toward enforcement, while 
about $32 million would be directed to treatment and $10 million for 
prevention in the form of an awareness campaign. The money would be 
spent over two years.

Graham Taylor, executive director of the James Bay Health Centre and 
Victoria Youth Clinics, welcomed the money for prevention initiatives.

"Prevention programs are the starting point in dealing with drug 
issues," Taylor said.

It's tough to statistically prove prevention works and they are often 
the first programs to be cut in government belt tightening, Taylor said.

"Good strong directed educational programs in prevention are so 
important," Taylor said. Before treatment is necessary, educating 
youth of the harmful ramifications of the drugs "they may experiment 
with" might stop them from ever starting, he said.

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan called the announcement a good start. 
Noting that enforcement has been well-funded for many years, he said 
treatment and prevention will require "a much larger investment."

Sullivan has been lobbying the federal government for a 
"disproportionate" share of the money earmarked for treatment 
programs to come to B.C.

"Not only does Vancouver have a large and serious drug problem, but 
the 2010 Olympic Games are coming and we will be on the world stage," 
Sullivan said in an interview.

Harper promised to be compassionate toward people hooked on illegal 
drugs, while expressing skepticism about Vancouver's controversial 
supervised-injection site -- not a good sign for those hoping to see 
a similar project in Victoria.

In particular, the prime minister said he is concerned about rising 
drug use among youth. He also noted that drug use takes an expensive 
toll on the health care system and fuels crime.

Harper said the government's response will be two-pronged, focusing 
on drug addicts on one hand and on drug producers and dealers on the other.

"Drugs are dangerous and destructive. If drugs do get hold of you, 
there will be help to get you off them," Harper promised. "But if you 
sell or produce drugs, you will pay with prison time."

"Our two-track approach will be tough on the dealers and producers of 
drugs and compassionate for their victims."

Tim Stockwell, director of the University of Victoria-based Centre 
for Addictions Research of B.C., criticized the plan for failing to 
support harm-reduction strategies.

"Harm-reduction strategies such as needle exchanges and safe 
injection sites have been proven to reduce the spread of hepatitis C 
and HIV among injecting drug users," Stockwell said.

Those strategies save health and law enforcement dollars, improve the 
health of drug users and encourage them to seek treatment, he said. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake