HEALTH OFFICIALS VOW TO RESPOND TO RECOMMENDATIONS

REGINA -- Health Canada officials say they are taking recommendations from
the western ministers conference on crystal meth seriously, even though they
made changes to fight the growing use of the drug even before the conference
began.

Early Friday, just before the ministers met in Regina, federal Health
Minister Ujjal Dosanjh and Justice Minister Irwin Cotler announced the
federal government's intent to strengthen licensing controls on the key
ingredients used in the production of crystal meth as well as the date rape
drug, GHB.

Four chemicals used in making methamphetamine -- red phosphorus, white
phosphorus, hypophosphorous acid and hydriodic acid -- now require a licence
and permit to import, export, produce or distribute.

The government is also considering amending the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act to allow for tougher penalties for production, possession and
trafficking of crystal meth.

Those were two of the five recommendations that eventually came from the
western ministers at the conclusion of the one-day conference.

Participants also urged the federal government to create offences for
possession of key ingredients, commit adequate resources to enforcement and
create a national crystal meth awareness campaign.

Chris Williams, a spokesperson for Health Canada, said department officials
are reviewing the other recommendations.

"We acknowledge the work that the western provinces are doing to address the
concern of increased use and production of methamphetamine in their
regions," he said. "We also support them in their efforts to find
collaborative ways of addressing the issues."

Williams said Ottawa is talking to stakeholders about moving crystal meth up
to a Schedule 1 drug, which would carry a maximum penalty of life for
trafficking, instead of Schedule 3, which has a 10-year maximum sentence.
Less serious drugs, including meth, LSD and ecstasy, are among those
classified as Schedule 3 drugs, while the Schedule 1 designation is used for
the most dangerous drugs, such as cocaine and heroin.

As for the most concrete step taken by ministers at the conference --
restricting the sale of cold remedies containing ephedrine and
pseudoephedrine -- Saskatchewan's governing body for pharmacists isn't sure
if it will be worthwhile.

"So far we've resisted pressure to impose restrictions because we haven't
seen any evidence of increased sales that are leading to the clandestine
manufacture of crystal meth," said Ray Joubert, registrar for the
Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists. "If that were the case and there were
solid evidence to support it, that's certainly something we would consider
very seriously."

Western ministers have directed officials to report back by Oct. 1 with
recommendations as to how the substances will be restricted.

Joubert said a balance between limiting access for illicit use and those who
legitimately need the medicines is needed, but the college will ask members
to abide by whatever is decided by the government.