B.C. CRYSTAL METH PUSHERS DESERVE MANDATORY JAIL TIME

The sleazy work of crystal meth pushers is cold and calculated. So a hefty
mandatory sentence would likely serve as a strong deterrent.

The Province

At first glance, Ottawa's move last week to boost the maximum penalties for
making, possessing and trafficking crystal meth seems like a step in the
right direction. After all, the illegal drug is devastating Canada's cities.

As detailed in our newspaper's recent series of articles on crystal meth,
the drug literally destroys users' lives, causing brain damage and inducing
mental illness, as well as leading to suicide, homicide and other crimes.

So we welcome the announcement in Vancouver by Justice Minister Irwin
Cotler that the maximum sentence for producing and distributing crystal
meth will now be life in prison.

Indeed, Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh credited The Province with helping
motivate the change.

The problem is that judges rarely impose maximum sentences for drug
sentences. All too often pushers get little more than house arrest.

Now, for heavily-addicted drug users, it may make sense to concentrate more
on treatment than on harsh penalties.

But the sleazy work of crystal meth pushers is cold and calculated. So a
hefty mandatory sentence would likely serve as a strong deterrent.

Federal Conservative justice critic Vic Toews says the minimum sentence for
dealing meth should be at least two years in jail. We agree.

As for any follow-up offence, we'd suggest locking the perp up and throwing
away the key.