Pubdate: Sat, 19 Nov 2016
Source: Truro Daily News (CN NS)
Copyright: 2016 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.trurodaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1159
Author: Harry Sullivan
Page: 3

MADD WANTS NEW MOTOR VEHICLE LEGISLATION BEFORE MARIJUANA IS LEGALIZED

Mandatory roadside screening and oral fluid testing for drugs should
become law before the federal government proceeds with legalizing
marijuana, a spokesperson for MADD Cobequid says.

"This is something that has to take place before the decriminalization
is put in place," newly elected president Kay Foster-Alfred said
during a public meeting Thursday evening. "This is going to be
happening and we have to be ready for it."

Despite being disappointed that only one member of the public attended
the session, Foster-Alfred says she does not feel that is
representative of the community mindset regarding impaired driving by
either drugs or alcohol.

"I think that there's a lot of people interested and that they care
but when it comes to going out and actually doing something they shy
away from it, which is unfortunate," she said. "And I think it' just a
matter of finding other ways to connect with them."

And Foster-Alfred said she is confident that both the federal and
provincial governments will do the right thing to protect against
people who drive while impaired by marijuana if the drug is legalized
by the Trudeau government as anticipated.

"I don't think the attendance is a reflection on the government's
intention to be responsible," she said. "I'm very optimistic that they
plan to take the measures that they need to do in order to make things
safe."

But as with people who drink and drive, Foster-Alfred said legalizing
marijuana will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the highways, at
least initially.

"I think we're going to have a lot of fatalities and a lot of very
disappointing statistics."
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MAP posted-by: Matt