Ford's next stand: The war on drugs

Insiders say it's a smart play for the law-and-order Premier

PROGRAMMING NOTE: I’m taking off for the May Two-Four long weekend and will be back in your inbox bright and early on Tuesday. Let’s hope absence makes the heart grow fonder.

ABOVE THE FOLD

THE POLITICS OF DECRIMINALIZATION — The war on drugs is heating up, and politically speaking, it’s something Premier DOUG FORD can successfully own.

What the province says: Ontario has effectively kiboshed Toronto’s request to decriminalize drugs. Health Minister SYLVIA JONES and Solicitor General MICHAEL KERZNER had written to top doc EILEEN DE VILLA saying they are “100 per cent opposed” to its federal request and warning that the city must drop its decriminalization application, or prepare for the province to “explore all options” to block it.

“Under no circumstances will our government ever support your request, which would only add to crime and public drug use while doing nothing to support people struggling with addiction,” they wrote.

What the city says: De Villa has argued decriminalization…