The Canadian Federal government has legislative authority over illicit drug matters and over criminal law generally. The Narcotic Control Act covers offenses including possession, trafficking, cultivation of cannabis or opium, importing or exporting narcotics, and prescription shopping, while the Food and Drug Act is concerned with controlled and restricted drugs and the unauthorized sale of prescription drugs. Other drug-related offenses in Canada include possession of drug paraphernalia or literature, possessing or laundering criminal proceeds, and the impact of discretion. Police have general powers of arrest and search and seizure in drug-related cases as well as supplementary powers including special search provisions, telewarrants, and seizure and forfeiture authorization. The 1982 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has effected some piecemeal reforms in this punitive system of legislation and police powers, but the authors maintain that the balance between effective enforcement and individual rights must be reassessed. 2 tables, 6 notes, and 33 references (Author abstract modified)