CRYSTAL METH PUSHERS WILL FACE LIFE SENTENCES

Crackdown Comes As Meth Use Rises: New Law Also Targets Chemicals Used
To Make 'Poor Man's Heroin'

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, Alta., for their annual conference that will include
discussion about the growing popularity of the inexpensive and easily
accessed drug.

The announcement will be made today by Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh,
Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, and Public Security Minister Anne
McLellan, The Vancouver Sun has learned.

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 clear evidence has emerged
about the growing harm caused by meth users, particularly in Western
Canada, to justify immediate action.

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 April 2005 release of a panel
report summarizing findings from a November 2004 summit in Vancouver.

That Vancouver gathering included federal, provincial and municipal
politicians from across Western Canada, as well as police, meth users,
health care and social service providers, school district officials,
and parent advocacy groups.

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

The study concluded that while there is no actual crisis, MA use is
rising and its popularity is gradually extending from Western Canada
eastward.

"There is a low prevalence of MA use among the general population in
Canada, but there is an increase in MA use among street-involved
youth, gay men, (and) young adults in the club scene."

MA 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.

"MA appeals to intravenous drug users and party drug users, as well as
to students, athletes, waiters, long-distance drivers, software
programmers and others who wish to stay awake for extended periods and
sustain their ability to perform," the report states.

"MA can also heighten sexual experience, encourage weight loss, and
support a hip, anti-social image among some users."

Crystal meth is highly addictive and its users often engage in binges
in which they ingest large quantities of the drug over several days or
weeks. Chronic users often suffer sleep deprivation, poor nutrition
and bad teeth.

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

THE FACTS ABOUT CRYSTAL METH:

It is a synthetic drug that:

- - Can be snorted, smoked, injected or taken orally.

- - Is known by the street names chalk, crank, fire, gak, glass, jib and
speed.

- - Gives users a feeling of euphoria and alertness.

- - Is relatively easy to produce using chemicals that are often
available in over-the-counter cold medications.

- - Is a relatively cheap drug, costing as little as $5 for a hit that
can last all day.

Western Canadian Summit on Methamphetamine

METH-RELATED DEATHS IN B.C.:

Crystal meth use is on the rise, and so are deaths related to
it.

2004 33

2003 15

2002 9

2001 5

2000 3

Statistics in this table represent cases in which methamphetamine was
present in the toxicology results, and do not necessarily signify that
the presence of methamphetamine was found to be contributory to death.

Source: B.C. Coroner's Office, Vancouver Sun