METH FEARS AIRED

Canada's lax laws governing an over-the-counter stimulant may be fuelling
the near-epidemic growth of an illicit party drug in North Dakota, says the
state's attorney general.

Ephedrine, a key ingredient used to manufacture methamphetamine, is illegal
to possess in North Dakota, even in small amounts, if it's found with known
meth-manufacturing equipment.

Commonly found in cold medicine, ephedrine isn't nearly as closely
regulated in Canada, where it's manufactured and where traffickers can
purchase large amounts unchecked.

"We've been busting meth labs left and right down here in North Dakota,"
Wayne Stenehjem told The Sun. "We are told huge amounts of ephedrine might
be coming from plants in Canada."

In fact, 51 illegal meth labs located in the counties along Interstate 29
have been busted this year by North Dakota authorities.

And more than 30 pounds of meth, a highly addictive and easy-to-make drug
also known as speed or crank, has been seized within 25 miles of the
Canadian border in nearly eight months.

"This is North Dakota -- we're the state with the lowest crime rate in the
country," Stenehjem said. "Methamphetamine is taking over and we're very
concerned."

Stenehjem was in Winnipeg this week to meet with RCMP, U.S. and Canadian
customs officers and U.S. Border patrol agents to voice his concern.

Winnipeg drug cop Sgt. Lyle MacMillan said although he hasn't heard of
large shipments of ephedrine going to North Dakota, he didn't rule it out.

"If it's easily obtainable here, somebody may be into it," he said. "It's
quite possible."