CENAIKO SEEKS TOUGHER METH LAWS

Alberta Solicitor General Harvey Cenaiko said he will appeal directly
to Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan for tougher laws against
crystal meth trafficking and production.

Cenaiko and provincial cabinet ministers from across Western Canada
met in Regina last Friday and agreed to impose restrictions on
over-the-counter cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, one of
meth's main ingredients.

However, the ministers left disappointed the federal government isn't
moving more swiftly to tighten controls on legal chemicals that are
bought in large quantities by criminals to make meth.

Use of crystal meth -- a cheap, highly addictive stimulant -- is
exploding in Western Canada.

Enlisting McLellan, who represents an Edmonton riding, may help
convince politicians in Ottawa that fighting meth is more of a
priority, said Cenaiko.

He wants the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act amended to
put meth in the same category as heroin and cocaine, which are subject
to lower possession thresholds and harsher penalties.

"That's a step in the right direction," said Staff Sgt. Kevan Stuart
of the Calgary police drug unit.

Beyond the Health Canada regulations, Cenaiko also wants the
possession of precursors in large quantities made a criminal offence
under the act.