GROUP URGES OTTAWA TO ADD EDUCATION, TREATMENT TO WAR ON CRYSTAL METH

Beefing up maximum jail sentences for producing, trafficking or
importing crystal meth is only the start of the battle against the
pervasive drug, Justice Minister Irwin Cotler said in Victoria Friday.

After meeting with Cotler, Mark McLaughlin, president of the Crystal
Meth Victoria Society, applauded the minister's promise to unveil a
series of initiatives to tackle the drug. "He seems to be on the same
page as us regarding the gravity of this drug," McLaughlin said,
adding enforcement is an important part of the puzzle, but not a magic
bullet.

Education to stop the influx of new users and more detox and treatment
facilities for those trying to break free of the addiction, are
equally important, he said.

"We want to stop this evil product before it becomes a full-blown
disaster."

The federal government has said it intends to regulate chemicals used
to make crystal meth, but the Victoria group says regulations could
take too long. In the meantime, it wants to see the problem addressed
on community basis.

The Crystal Meth Society has met with some Greater Victoria councils
and McLaughlin is hoping a Meth Watch program will be up and running
this year.

The program would see "precursor" chemicals used in the making of
crystal meth, such as ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine found in cold and
allergy medications, kept behind the counters of drug stores instead
of on the shelves. Stores would be asked to alert police if anyone
buys large amounts of the substances.

A task force being formed by the society would spearhead the program,
with the help of municipalities.

Merchants would be given information and asked for their co-operation,
McLaughlin said.

London Drugs has voluntarily started keeping precursor chemicals
behind the counter and is distributing information about crystal meth,
McLaughlin said.

"We applaud that. This absolutely has to happen."

Washington state, which has declared a state of emergency because of
the crystal meth epidemic, demands photo ID from customers buying cold
medication and limits the amount that can be purchased.

Although ephedrine is the main component of crystal meth, the cheaply
concocted drug can also contain a poisonous mix of acetone, iodine,
drain cleaner, engine starter and paint thinner.

Crystal meth is a stimulant drug, like cocaine, crack or speed, which
can be snorted, smoked or injected, and last year was selling for $10
to $15 a dose. One dose will produce effects for more than eight hours.

Long-term use can lead to intense paranoia, hallucinations, rages,
delusions, brain damage and death from brain hemorrhage or
cardiovascular shock, according to the B.C. Centre for Addictions Research.