MLA MOVES TO RESTRICT CRYSTAL METH INGREDIENTS

New Democrat MLA Jagrup Brar introduced legislation Wednesday designed
to curb the production of crystal meth by restricting the sale of the
ingredients used to make it.

The bill would limit stocking of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine
products to behind the counter of pharmacies and make it mandatory for
pharmacists to dispense these precursors to crystal meth.

"This is a serious issue," Brar said. "We see small crystal meth labs
in the communities around the province. And I think this is a very
important step we need to take and I hope all the members of the house
will support the bill."

The Liberal government does not support the legislation. Solicitor
General John Les said in an interview Wednesday that the bill is
unnecessary.

Crystal meth production in B.C. is fuelled by bulk import of these
ingredients and labs here do not generally obtain the precursors
through over-the-counter cold medications, he said.

"That bill is cosmetic only, and even if it were put into effect, it
would have no effect on the crystal meth manufacturing problem that we
have [in B.C.]," Les said.

The government has examined options such as moving these products
behind the counter of pharmacies but has determined, with the advice
of police, those steps aren't necessary now, he said.

"It simply isn't the case in British Columbia that that's where the
labs are getting their product. It's coming here in bulk, being
imported from offshore, through ports, handled by organized crime.

"Those are the sources that we have to continue to
attack."

Brar said B.C. is the only province where single-entity
pseudoephedrine products (cough and cold remedies containing only
pseudoephedrine) are not kept behind the counter of pharmacies. "I'm
asking them to change that."

The NDP said the legislation is designed to take "small but important
steps" to protect B.C. from crystal meth. Brar said he doesn't
understand why the government is reluctant to move on these changes.

"My vision on this one is: Take this action before it becomes a huge
problem. But I think John Les's vision is that he will take action
after it becomes a huge problem," Brar said.

Les said government is already working closely with pharmacies and
other outlets through programs such as Meth Watch to monitor unusually
large purchases of products that contain pseudoephedrine. "And the
police tell me that is working well."

The solicitor general said the main source for crystal meth
manufacturers in B.C. is likely different because this is a coastal
province. If police inform him that a different approach becomes
necessary, "we'll go there," Les said.