GOVERNMENT WISE TO REVERSE STAND ON METH INGREDIENT

A government that is prepared to reverse its stand on an issue is not
necessarily one that's weak or indecisive, as its opponents would have you
believe. More often than not, it's a government that is attentive and
strong.

So, kudos to Victoria for changing its earlier stand on crystal meth, which
was that this province doesn't need to officially regulate the sale of the
ingredients used to make it.

Now, following continuing coverage by this newspaper of the misery caused by
this drug, Sol.-Gen. Rich Coleman says his staff are looking into precisely
that possibility. They are examining legislation that would limit people's
ability to buy large quantities of cough and cold medication containing meth
ingredients known as precursors.

Last week, Washington State lawmakers voted unanimously to pass a bill that
requires anyone buying a precursor product to be at least 18. It also limits
the number of these products that can be bought every 24 hours. And stores
will have to keep a log of who is buying them.

These are sensible measures. Indeed, as Coleman himself acknowledges, any
tool that helps police and pharmacists reduce the supply of meth on the
streets is worth investigating.

As recent Province forums on crystal meth have made abundantly clear, B.C.
has a drug crisis on its hands.

Our young people deserve the best possible protection from their government.