by P.J. Harston
Northern News Services

NNSL (NOV 15/96) - A territorial court judge says adults convicted in his courtroom of cocaine possession will go directly to jail from now on.

Judge Michel Bourassa made Justin Hai Van Vo's trial the medium, his sentence the message.

"People have to learn: if they're going to use cocaine, they're going to be treated harshly," Bourassa stated.

Earlier this week he sentenced Vo, a 29-year-old janitor, to 30 days in jail for possession of four grams of cocaine worth an estimated $560.

However, Bourassa vows Vo's will be the last lenient cocaine possession sentence his courtroom will ever see.

"I make it very clear for future cases that as far as the territorial court is concerned, there will be jail sentences for simple possession of cocaine. Thirty days for a gram; more for more," said Bourassa.

Undercover police officer arrested Vo just after midnight in downtown Yellowknife, Sept. 20, Crown lawyer Sandra Aitken told court.

Vo unsuccessfully tried to dump the drugs on the floor of the cruiser he was placed in, she explained.

Defence lawyer Robert Gorin originally asked Bourassa to grant his client a fine on his first drug-related conviction.

He pointed to two marijuana possession sentences earlier that morning that drew fines of $500 and $600.

"Jail is not required in this case," Gorin suggested. "Only when trafficking is a concern is jail a starting point (for sentencing)."

After Bourassa sentenced the man to jail, Gorin asked for an intermittent sentence, but the request was rejected.

Aitken asked for a 30-day sentence as a deterrent to keep others from committing similar crimes.

Bourassa agreed, but suggested Aitken should have asked for even more jail time.

"A 60-day sentence would have probably been more appropriate," said Bourassa. "The Crown is now advised that the court will take a harsher approach."

Gorin said Wednesday he won't appeal the sentence.

Under the Criminal Code, those convicted of possession of narcotics -- on their first summary conviction -- are liable to a fine of up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail, or both.