CRYSTAL METH INDUSTRY EXPANDING IN CANADA

OTTAWA -- The number of synthetic drug samples submitted to Health
Canada by police for analysis has skyrocketed 650 per cent over five
years, internal government briefings show, suggesting production of
highly addictive narcotics like crystal methamphetamine continues to
thrive here.

"Greater numbers of clandestine laboratory seizures in Canada indicate
that the synthetic drug industry is expanding," reads a briefing note
prepared for federal Health Minister Tony Clement, obtained by CanWest
News Service under the Access to Information Act.

"In fact, the number of seized samples analysed by Health Canada has
increased more than sevenfold from 1999 to 2004 [from 733 to 5,554
samples]."

The statistics are based on samples submitted for all offences,
including possession and trafficking.

Synthetic drugs, such as methamphetamine, ecstasy and GHB (gamma
hydroxybutyric acid, a notorious date-rape drug) are narcotics created
via chemical processes, as opposed to organic-based substances such as
marijuana and cocaine.

Crystal meth, for example, can be produced by mixing the stimulant
pseudoephedrine (commonly found in over-the-counter decongestants)
with chemicals in products like battery acid, drain cleaners,
fertilizer, matchbook strikers and others.

Canada has long been criticized for having lax regulations regarding
the distribution of precursor chemicals and a lack of inspectors to
enforce what is in place.

There have been some government efforts to curb the flow.

Regulations were amended in 2003/2004 to make it harder to move meth
ingredients, and the maximum jail terms for production and trafficking
were increased from 10 years to life imprisonment last summer.

According to Health Canada spokeswoman Carole Saindon, the number of
seizures by police is actually higher than the briefing note reflects.

"Only drug samples for cases that are going to trial are analysed, and
therefore the data underestimate the total number of illicit drug
seizures," she explained in a written statement. If someone accused of
possessing a drug pleads guilty to the crime, it wouldn't show up in
the system.

In 2005, Saindon added, Health Canada analysed 6,192 samples
containing meth.

Saindon said government efforts are making a difference in production
and that "we can report that there has been a decrease in the quantity
of pseudoephedrine imported into Canada in 2005."

In its most recent assessment of the international drug situation,
however, the U.S. State Department contends "methamphetamine
trafficking and availability [in Canada] rose during 2005."

RCMP figures show police busted 25 meth labs in 2002, 37 the next year
and 40 in 2004.

The Mounties were unable to provide an official for comment Monday.

In addition to health concerns associated with synthetic drugs --
which include sleeplessness, paranoia, mood swings, tremors and
strokes -- bureaucrats warned Clement about "significant"
environmental damage caused by production.