ANALYST QUITS OVER BOTCHED DOPE TESTS

A Health Canada analyst has resigned in the midst of a probe into the
botched testing of at least 150 illicit drug samples at a Toronto drug lab,
the Toronto Sun has learned.

Dozens of criminal drug convictions and pending trials in Ontario could be
in jeopardy because of the faulty tests, discovered March 8 when the
employee went on vacation.

The test results are used as evidence in illicit drug trials. Health Canada
refused to say when the employee left or if she was disciplined, citing
privacy laws.

The analyst did not follow standard testing procedure on at least 150 of
the 3,500 drug samples she handled since 1996, Health Canada reported.

Police, lawyers and justice department officials are sorting through
thousands of charges to track cases involving the analyst. Retired Judge W.
David Griffiths has completed a list of recommendations on how the
attorney-general should handle any convictions made with the faulty evidence.

A justice department spokesman refused to say how many cases are affected
or have been identified.