Pubdate: Tue, 06 Feb 2007
Source: Langley Advance (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.langleyadvance.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n026/a12.html?312027
Author: Jack A. Cole
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)

MISGUIDED POT LAW WOULD WASTE POLICE OFFICERS' TIME

Dear Editor,

As a retired New Jersey state trooper with 12 years as an undercover 
drug narc, I concur with letter-writer Ken Marsh that, on many topics 
related to public drug policy, police officers have strong credibility.

So with regard to discussion of the proposed legislation in Canada to 
arrest anyone with even a hint of marijuana metabolites in their 
system, I submit this would be a ridiculous overkill and a tremendous 
waste of valuable police resources.

It is reasonable and perhaps even urgent that we, as police, support 
efforts to reduce the number of drivers who are operating their 
vehicles while demonstrably and measurably impaired by any drugs.

But the current proposal would lump in all drivers who have used 
marijuana for up to several weeks prior, regardless of whether their 
driving can be demonstrated to be measurably impaired.

The net loss of police man hours to enforcing this misguided proposal 
would certainly increase potential for more crimes against persons 
and property.

Such crimes would be more likely to proceed unimpeded by a police 
force that is depleted when one or more officers is wasting time 
processing an unimpaired driver whose only use of marijuana was days 
or even weeks prior to their traffic stop.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, of which I am executive 
director, strongly supports policies which increase public safety. 
And we sternly denounce proposals which are clearly misguided.

Your readers deserve this expert perspective backed by the many 
police and criminal justice professionals who make up our membership.

Jack A. Cole, Medford,

Massachussets, USA
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman