Pubdate: Fri, Oct 2, 1998 Source: The West Australian Page: 28 Contact: FAX: +61 8 94823830 Author: Torrance Mendez DRUG USERS GET CAUTIONS A TRIAL began yesterday in which adults found with up to 50g of cannabis will be cautioned instead of prosecuted. The year-long trial will operate only in the police districts of Mirrabooka and Bunbury. "We found that first-time offenders were going to court and tying up court time," Supt Fred Zagami said. "The aim of the trial is to educate a person on the dangers of the use of cannabis." About 221,000 people over 134,000 sq km are within the boundary of the Mirrabooka trial's area. Special measures for young people caught with cannabis already exist through the Juvenile Justice Team. Supt Zagami, who headed tbe drug squad from 1992-94, said an officer about to issue a caution must verify that the person is at least 18 years old. There must be sufficient evidence the person is using or is in possession of cannabis for personal use. A caution cannot be given if the person is implicated in other offences, whether related or not. The offender may have up to 50g of cannabis - dried leaf, stem or stalk, but not resin, hash, hash oil or cannabis plants. A conviction for a drug-related offence precludes the offender from getting a caution. Any person found with cannabis must admit the relevant offence and consent to a caution. The person must also consent to the destruction of the drug and associated implements such as bongs. A record of the caution will be kept at the local police station but it will not be a criminal record and fingerprints will not be taken. The person caught must agree to attend a drug education session within two weeks. Mirrabooka police district includes North Beach, Trigg, Scarborough, Karrinyup, Doubleview, Gwelup, Innaloo, Woodlands, Balcatta, Stirling, Osborne Park, Glendalaugh, Tuart Hill, Joondanna, Mt Hawthorn, Balga, Westminster, Nollamara, Yokine, Coolbinia, North Perth, Mirrabooka, Dianella, Menora, Mt Lawley, Inglewood, Malaga, Noranda, Morley, Embleton, Bedford, Bayswater and Maylands. - --- Checked-by: Patrick Henry