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A 2 - The Oakville Beaver, Tuesday D ecem ber 24, 2002 ~ H a i i d n L in e n O u t l e t T h a n k y o u f o r v o tin g u s # 1 Police chief says softening pot laws sends mixed message to youths By Lisa Tallyn -'EC1AL BEAVEF^ SP E C IA L T O T H E B EAVER ^loted OaJcmlle i 0 i ) e d ^ t i n e n c f/w fi Holton Linen whereyour decorating dollar goesfurther 481 North Service Rd.W., OAKVILLE (between Dorval Drive and 4th Line) fO O 'M 8 4 7 - 7 9 7 4 \ 7 ' /,lJ / 1n MON. - FRI. 10A.M.- 5:30 P.M.· SATURDAY I0A.M.-6 P.M.* SUNDAY. 12A.M.- 5 P.M. , B O X IN G W EEK SALE B O X IN C W E EK SALE B O X IN G W EEK SALE B O X 'N C W E EK SALE NO PAYMENT · 90 DAYS · 6 MONTHS · 1 YEAR o ac . F U -£ R N IT U RE xH O M ED E C O R DEC 2 7 T H R U IA N 1 7 J O S H U AC R E E KT R A D IN G-- fTveupto on Floor flu H » ll Liearance trems 50 % Abbey Sofa. a S K J a rP e p p le r 'n o te x a c t lya ss h o w n M on . 1 0 - 6 . T\J«S. fcW lO. (S peer s R d . £ < 4 799" $ a v e H u g e on Sofas, B e d r o o m / D in in g Suitos & Mor< 1 0 - 8 . SAr. 1 0 - 6 . CLOSE D SUNDAYS t h m Li n e b e s id e T ia a H o rto n s ) w w w .starpages.com /joshua-creek SPEERS ROAD 9 0 5 -8 4 2 -3 7 3 9 ^ 1 0 2 9 SPEERS R O A D , O A K V I LLE - Potentially looser laws on marijuana possession have received lukewarm sup port locally, but Halton's police chief has expressed concern youths are getting a mixed message about drug use. A Commons committee, chaired by Burlington MP Paddy Torsney, recom mended last week that Canadians should be allowed to grow and carry around 30 grams of marijuana for personal use at the risk only of a ticket and fine, not a criminal record. Marijuana would remain an illegal substance and trafficking in any amount would still be a crime. Legislation on the matter could be intro duced early next year. Halton Regional Police Services Chief Ean Algar said the police service, in keep ing with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police recommendation, supports pos session of a small quantity of marijuana be treated as a non-criminal offence, but he stressed, that would be for the first offence only and at the police officer's discretion. He said that recommendation is in line with what is already occurring in the courts. Algar stressed that recommendation comes with the caveat that a renewed National Drug Strategy be put in place that would include public education, a health component and harsher penalties for deal ing and production of drugs. Algar however, is not happy with the message he believes is being put out in the media as a result of the committee's recom mendation. "It shouldn't be the message that drugs are okay," said Algar. "I'm disappointed in criminal record)," said Stewart. the way this evolving. the way this isis evolving. criminal record)," said Stewart. "I don't think it will "The youth o of community are con f our our community are con"I w ill lead to iincreased use," he said. fused," said Algar. He added if preventing use is the real He elaborated by saying Halton's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) issue, a multi-pronged approach is needed officers are being asked by area students if including enforcement, prevention, educa tion. research and treatment. drugs are good or bad. Halton Region Medical Officer of "They should be sending a clear mes sage that drug use is unacceptable and this Health Dr. Bob Nosal said neither he or the seems to be lost in this whole issue," he region's health department have an official position on decriminalizing marijuana pos said. "The focus should be on drug dealing session, calling it a "federal issue." "For any substance use or abuse, be it and cultivation," the chief added. Included in the committee's recommen tobacco, alcohol or marijuana my view, and dation are more drug prevention and educa the public health position is...these issues tion programs on the risk of marijuana use, need to be dealt with with comprehensive especially to young people. The committee programming." Maggie Waligora, a registered nurse, would also like to see a test to measure the drug impairment level of drivers, similar to and chief operating officer of the Halton Hills-based Art of Healthy Living Inc., the blood alcohol meters now available. "I really think it probably makes sense which offers a support group for parents of to decriminalize possession," said Halton teens with drug and crime problems, is MP Julian Reed, who stressed he doesn't opposed to the proposed change. "I don't think it should be allowed at condone marijuana use. "The police have a all," said Waligora. "Marijuana is the gate lot more important things to do." When asked if he would support the rec way drug to other drugs. I see it will ommendation he said he supports the con increase the usage." She said she is hearing from young peo cept, but he'll "wait to see the bill." "I want to see the legislation and be able ple that they are interpreting the message to to establish it does what it is intended to do mean that marijuana possession is going to be legal and "in their mind it's legal and it's and does not encourage the drug trade." Ian Stewart, executive director of okay." Waligora believes a criminal record is ADAPT, (Alcohol and Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention and Treatment) a more a deterrent than a fine. "Kids that are Halton-based agency, said the change to the afraid of the law, they won't try it," she said. "Decriminalizing the drug will surely law is "something that does make sense increase its availability to our youth and from a lot of perspectives." "I don't condone its (marijuana) use at compromise the work done by our rehabil itation and detention centres," said Dr. all," stressed Stewart. 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