ILLICIT-DRUG PROGRAM SLAMMED BY AUDITOR

VANCOUVER -- In a strong indictment of Canada's illicit-drug
strategy, a representative of the federal auditor-general charged
yesterday that the 10-year program lacks leadership, focus and any
information about whether it works.

"Are we any better off than we were 10 years ago? We don't know,"
declared David Brittian, author of an investigative report for the
auditor-general that found gaping data holes in the extent of
Canada's drug problem and what is being done about it.

The federal government spends $450-million a year addressing illicit
drugs, with 95 per cent of that earmarked for enforcement. Yet there
are no national figures on convictions and sentencing, Mr. Brittian
said.

Although the estimated economic cost of illicit drugs now tops
$5-billion a year in Canada, just $28-million goes toward federal
treatment programs, according to the auditor-general.

[snip]

Pubdate: Thu, 19 Sep 2002
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2002, The Globe and Mail Company