Pubdate: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2007 Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Rob Nicholson Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1370/a02.html Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk. ILLICIT DRUGS FUEL ORGANIZED CRIME Re: Glenn Kauth's Tuesday article. It's no secret that illicit drugs fuel organized crime and foster petty crime. They also undermine healthy families and safe communities across Canada. This is why the government of Canada has taken action by introducing legislative reforms to introduce mandatory jail time for serious drug offences. That is aimed at organized criminals and others who prey upon our youth. Our legislation contains an exception that allows a drug treatment court to impose a lesser penalty if the offender successfully completes an approved drug treatment program and if the offence did not involve any aggravating factors such as violence. Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada (Sounds like a plan to us.) - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom