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4-Thp C Ë Ç fpion Tuosday,,May-?5,,1999 Iomrmui:2:oniI Decriminalizing small-ftime possession Did youkiw >that oein 10 Canadians bas a peh tanguage, o hearing disorder? Cbmk the yelIaw speech-language pathologist o www.caslpa.ca. would be more effective, say police brass By IRENE GENTLE The Champion A recent proposai. to decriminalize the possession of smail amounts of marijuana does flot send a message that drugs are okay, said Halton Regional Police Chief Ean Algar. 'This doesn't say 'Folks, go ahead and use it,"' he said. "Tt's flot intended to say to the youth of the coin- munity that it' s a good thing to be using drugs."1 The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has« recommended that the possession of small amounts of marijuana and cannabis derivatives be decriminalized. That recommendation was supported by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. The next step will be to convince the federal govem- ment to corne on board and turn the proposai into Iaw. Unclog court systemn T'he purpose of the recommendation is to unclog the court system and funnel offenders into more effective treatment. 'Mat would entail forging partnerships between the police, correctional services and health and social ser- vice agencies. "It's a collective approach to resolving the issue. There is more emphasis placed on rehabilitation and prevention," said Chief Algar. "We're flot endorsing the use of dnigs." Should the proposai becomne policy, possession of small amounts of marijuana would stili be illegal, but flot criminal. Names ini registry Though that would allow offenders to escape with- out a criminal. record, their names would be listed in a oegistly. Who would have access to tbat registry is so far unknown. At this point, even what constitues a small amnount of marijuana lias yet to be defined. "It hasn't been refined enough to define what a small amount is," said Chief Algar. "I don't see an ounce being a small amount. Maybe a few grams or a hasbish pipe." If the decriminalization were to become legisiation, offenders could. possibly pay a fine or be diverted to drug awareness or treatment programns instead of going through the court system. Counseling, community sentencing and doing research into the effects of drugs are also possible alternatives. Long road ahead The recommendation will Iikely have a long road 10 travel before becoming legisiation, said Chief Algar. "These sort of issues are complex and time consum- ing.," he said. "This is one of those issues that wili take public input. They need to understand ail the factors involved." Little public reaction Despite sorte mfisleading reports that made it sound as though police chiefs were endorsing the decriminal- ization of ail dnigs, there has been littie public reac- tion so far in Halton, said Chief Algar. "The initial oelease was somewhat ambiguous or even in enior," he said. "But I baven't bad a flood of in quiries froim the pub- lic and I baven't bad any public feedback directly to me.", s-- ALL 1 3à Regattas are $65 ALL 14" Regattas -are $75 ALL 15" Regattas are $85 à - _ * Enter to Win i day et the track mdng Out best Formula-1 cars! Ail Round Radial (on. in ami see Bilan for detaùils easZn AIR CONDTONING SERVICE Have your air conditioning f~~ systemn inspected and serviced PI ý today by a Iicensed C.F.C. facility. INTARIOSI IRIVEI Licensed Techniciafl on duty for both R1 2 CLUEANJ and the new R i134A Freon Accredited Test IView seven properties built in early Milton and area during the mid to late 1800S. IProperties are clearly marked in a section of urban Milton. One property is a historic rural farmn property. dAil are proudly styled andi maintained to reflect their historic past. ICostumed interpreters «will greet you as you Ieisurely visit and enjoy the interior of these historic places. IYour ticket-book aprovides architectural and historical detail for each property. *OCZt<L Milton Historic Homes Tour Sat., June 12, 1999 10Oam to 5pm Tickets: $15 Avallable From: Helen 876-1872; Mandy 878-4197 Downtown: Bergsma's, Harris Stationery Delacourts, Kalena Flowers. MiftonLMaI Peggy'8 Moffat: Old is Beautiful Antiques ~ ~ I' Rural From Our Farm, 8350 Fourth Line Proceeds in support of the Milton Historical Society Waldie Blacksmlth Shop Restoration Project. ia Publishes Fridag June 4, 19990040 ACanaUbiaII 4rtnpion ýN 0 PPerroffing local business, their origins and réputations in the Milton Community complete with editorial & photos. Cali your Champion Ad Rep to flnd out more! 878-2341 w É b 'l G 0 0 D VEA R _e F "le .z 07- -