TRAFFICKERS COULD GET LIFE IN PRISON UNDER CRYSTAL METH CRACKDOWN

OTTAWA - The federal government will announce today it is increasing
the maximum jail term for production, trafficking, importing or
exporting methamphetamine -- commonly known as crystal meth or the
"poor man's cocaine" -- from 10 years to life in prison.

The federal crackdown, which puts crystal meth on the same legal
playing field as cocaine and heroin, comes as provincial premiers
gather in Banff for their annual conference that will include
discussion about the growing popularity of the inexpensive and widely
available drug.

Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh, whose department administers the
Controlled Drug and Substances Act, announced in June that he was
seeking recommendations from senior government officials by this fall
on whether Ottawa should stiffen penalties for crystal meth producers
and traffickers.

But Dosanjh is expected to say today that immediate action is
justified because clear evidence has emerged about the growing harm
caused by meth users, particularly in Western Canada.

The federal government also revealed in June its intention to add four
chemicals now used to make crystal meth to the government's Precursor
Control Regulations. When the regulations go into effect later this
year, those involved in the production or distribution of those
chemicals will be subjected to licensing and permitting
requirements.

Conviction for possession of these "precursor" chemicals for the
purpose of making an illegal drug like crystal meth will then result
in a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both.

Provincial premiers and ministers from Western Canada have been
putting pressure on Ottawa since the release of a report on the issue
in April.

The report summarized the findings from a November 2004 gathering in
Vancouver that included politicians, police, meth users, health care
and social service providers, school district officials, and parent
advocacy groups.

Crystal meth is a synthetic drug that can be snorted, smoked, injected
or swallowed, and can cost a user only $5 a day, according to the report.

The drug causes a sense of "euphoria, openness and intellectual
expansion," and while similar to cocaine is metabolized more slowly
and its effects can therefore last up to 24 hours. It can also trigger
nervousness and depression and is believed to lead to violent
behaviour in some circumstances.

The drug is becoming popular with organized crime groups and is far
easier to produce than marijuana.

"It is not clear that the legislative framework properly reflects the
dangers to society from the production and distribution" of
methamphetamine, the report concluded.

It said that while there is no actual crisis, meth use is rising and
its popularity is gradually moving east from Western Canada. "There is
a low prevalence of MA (methamphetamine) use among the general
population and in Canada, but there is an increase in MA use among
street-involved youth, gay men (and) young adults in the club scene."