cannabisnews.com: Drug Strategy Addresses Concerns of All Canadians Drug Strategy Addresses Concerns of All Canadians Posted by CN Staff on December 18, 2002 at 19:55:27 PT By Paddy Torsney Source: Burlington Post Last week, I tabled in the House of Commons the report of the special committee on non-medical use of drugs entitled Working Together to Redefine Canada's Drug Strategy. This report is the culmination of 18 months of work by MPs from all political parties. After listening to Canadians, hearing from experts in Canada and around the world, we made 41 recommendations that will improve the health of Canadians and, we think, have less of a toll on our families, our communities and our finances. Our current policies regarding substance use and misuse are not working as effectively. There is too little education on risks and benefits, not enough research, and too little treatment available for those who want to make change. We need a more integrated system, with co-operation across federal departments, federal/ provincial boundaries and in our communities. We need to address the misuse of prescription and over-the-counter drug misuse.Canadians need more information to make decisions on using substances, legal and illegal. They need facts, not anecdotes. We heard that Canadians are supportive of change. This is a health issue that affects all of us, rural and urban, big city and small community, across all age categories.A renewed Canada Drug Strategy, which includes clear, measurable goals and objectives and sustained funding would ensure we achieve the most effective policies for our citizens. We recommended the appointment of a Drug Commissioner to ensure resources are directed appropriately and new demands can be met. We recommended that education, prevention and treatment be increased dramatically, so people are able to make the most appropriate choices for themselves and their families.Two recommendations seem to have captured the most attention in the media. One is to allow those communities who desire it (Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto) the opportunity to establish a safe injection site. Right now, too many people who have an addiction to heroin, cocaine and other drugs that they inject, are using them in unsafe conditions, in alleys and abandoned buildings.None of our committee members likes people using drugs like these but we want to keep people alive. The risk of death due to overdose is real. But the chance for someone to get treatment in the future only occurs if the person is alive. And we do not want people to get Hep C and HIV from dirty needles in the interim.The other issue that generated much media attention was how to sanction those who break the law and possess marijuana. Our committee recommended first and foremost that the possession of marijuana remain illegal and that trafficking remain a crime. People who are caught with small amounts of cannabis, would, we felt, think twice if they had to pay a substantial fine, and police officers would rather write a ticket rather than charge someone.Committee members don't want people to use substances like marijuana. There are health risks. But a criminal record and the difficulties it causes later in life (choice of careers, inability to travel) are not the best way to discourage use. We want Canadians, especially our young people, better informed about the risks associated with the use of all illegal substances.I hope you will take the opportunity to read the report and its recommendations. You can access it at: http://www.parl.gc.ca Let me know your opinions and ideas.Please enjoy a safe and happy Christmas and holiday season. I look forward to working with you in the coming year. Happy 2003!Paddy Torsney is MP for Burlington.Complete Title: Renewed Canada Drug Strategy Addresses Concerns of All CanadiansSource: Burlington Post (CN ON)Author: Paddy TorsneyPublished: December 18, 2002Copyright: 2002 Burlington PostContact: jdavis haltonsearch.comWebsite: http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/bp/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmPot on MP Torsney's Mind http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15010.shtmlDecriminalize Marijuana Nowhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14996.shtmlDecriminalization of Cannabis Makes Sensehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14992.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by FoM on December 19, 2002 at 11:02:57 PT Dr. Russo I just posted this article. It's a little more detailed then the press release.Quebec Judge Throws Out Pot Case: http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread15015.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Ethan Russo MD on December 19, 2002 at 10:48:01 PT: Steps in the Right Direction Compare the content of this story with FoM's post.The Canadian Parliament is prepared to take baby steps on cannabis policy, while the judiciary seems poised to start a revolution. It will be interesting to see who prevails, but it is clear that their Supreme Court will need to settle the issue, and cannot duck it much longer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 19, 2002 at 09:16:32 PT News Brief from The Canadian Press Medicinal Marijuana Club Acquitted Canadian Press December 19, 2002 A judge halted the drug-trafficking trial Thursday of two pot activists who were involved in a club that dispensed the drug for medical use. Marc-Boris Saint-Maurice, head of the Compassion Club, and Alexandre Neron were accused of possession of marijuana and trafficking the drug. Quebec court Judge Gilles Cadieux, who had postponed making a decision on the case about 10 times, said the absence of a legal source of marijuana takes away the right to life and liberty. Cadieux also said he wouldn't rule on the constitutionality of marijuana laws, effectively sending the case to a higher court. The Crown did not say if it will appeal Cadieux's decision. St-Maurice and Neron were arrested in the fall of 2000 after police raided the club and seized 66 grams of marijuana. The case was watched closely by pro-cannabis and law-enforcement groups because of its implications for the distribution of medicinal marijuana in Canada.Copyright 2002 Canadian Press [ Post Comment ] Post Comment