LIFE-TERM CRACKDOWN ON METH DEALERS

Ottawa Begins Battle With 'Hip' Synthetic Drug

OTTAWA - The federal government will announce today a crackdown on
methamphetamine, a hip but highly addictive drug that is a growing problem
for authorities particularly in Western Canada.

The Health, Justice and Public Safety Ministers will announce Ottawa will
increase the maximum jail term for production, trafficking, importing or
exporting crystal meth from 10 years to life in prison -- putting crystal
meth on the same legal playing field as cocaine and heroin.

Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh said in June he was seeking recommendations
by this fall on whether Ottawa should stiffen penalties for crystal meth
producers and traffickers. But Mr. Dosanjh is expected to say today clear
evidence has emerged about the growing harm caused by meth users to justify
immediate action.

It's estimated more than 90% of people who try meth become addicted. The
average life span for an addict is seven years from the time they become
addicted. MA is a synthetic drug that can be snorted, smoked, injected or
swallowed, and can cost a user only $5 a day.

According to a survey of U.S. law enforcement organizations conducted by
the National Association of Counties and released in July, 58% of U.S.
county law enforcement agencies now see meth as their largest drug problem.

It is quickly becoming a serious problem in Canada. Between 2001 and 2003,
police seizures of the drug rose by 50% in B.C., 20% in Alberta, 857% in
Saskatchewan, 141% in Manitoba, 108% in Ontario and 457% in Quebec.

At their annual meeting in May, leaders of the four western provinces and
three northern territories called on Ottawa to ensure that sentences for
trafficking in meth are at least as harsh as those for cocaine or heroin.
Judges have discretion in sentencing, but the jail terms for meth are often
half or a third as long as those given for the other drugs.

"Our youth are in really quite grave danger in this drug," said Alberta
deputy premier Shirley McClellan.

The federal crackdown comes as provincial premiers gather in Banff for
their annual conference that will include discussion about the growing
popularity of the inexpensive and easily accessed drug.

U.S. states have succeeded in reducing crystal meth production by making it
harder to buy the ingredients used to make it, including ephedrine and
pseudoephedrine. The main ingredient in meth, ephedrine is found in most
over-the-counter cold remedies and in several health supplements designed
for things such as weight loss and endurance boosters.

The federal government 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 such as crystal meth will result in a fine of up to
$5,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both.

A November, 2004, summit in Vancouver studied the problem. The summit
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), a panel report summarizing the summit 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 and in
Canada, but there is an increase in MA use among street-involved youth, gay
men, [and] young adults in the club scene."

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."

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