BATTERS SAYS FEDS NEED TO BATTLE CRYSTAL METH BY RECLASSIFYING IT

Saskatchewan is leading the fight against crystal meth, but it needs the
federal government to do its part to prevent this drug's spread, says Dave
Batters, Conservative Party MP for Palliser.

Crystal meth should be reclassified as a schedule 1 drug in the Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act, said Batters. "If it's classified as schedule 1,
then the penalties that judges can impose are on par with those that they
impose for those found guilty of trafficking in cocaine and heroine. It
unties the hands of our judges," said Batters in an interview.

Batters questioned federal justice minister Irwin Cotler about this in the
House of Commons on Thursday after sending Cotler a letter last month.
"This is a simple amendment. He just has to bring a bill forward and amend
this Controlled Drugs and Substances Act."

The sentencing hearing of a Regina man convicted of trafficking crystal
meth inspired Batters. Provincial court judge Linton Smith postponed Terry
J. Nameth's sentencing last December to hear more evidence on the danger of
crystal meth compared to cocaine and heroine after the Crown and the
defense differed in opinion.

In the end, Smith made no finding on the dangerousness of the drug when he
sentenced Nameth to three years last month. Smith said that decision had
already been made by parliament.

Currently, crystal meth and other methamphetamines are considered schedule
3 drugs. Marijuana is listed as schedule 2. The maximum sentence for
schedule 1 and 2 drugs -- such as cocaine, heroin and marijuana -- is life
in prison for possession and trafficking. Schedule 3 drugs have a maximum
of a 10 year sentence.

Batters said Cotler told him that a working committee is looking into
reclassifying crystal meth after the issue was raised at the January
meeting of the federal, provincial and territorial justice ministers. The
committee will present its findings in June, a wait Batters said is too long.

"How many people are going to get hooked on crystal meth between now and
June? If there are some really stiff penalties imposed, that could help
save some people."

Saskatchewan's justice minister Frank Quennell raised the reclassification
issue with Cotler at the justice ministers' meeting and in a letter. He has
also requested federal regulations be changed to track the ingredients used
to make crystal meth.

Saskatchewan Justice officials are reviewing federal drug legislation to
identify amendments needed to do that, reports the province's crystal meth
strategy released earlier this week. The strategy also mentions Quennell's
desire to have crystal meth reclassified.

Quennell is just one of many in Saskatchewan fighting crystal meth, said
Batters. He has spoken to Saskatchewan Party members June Draude and Brenda
Bakken as well as the chiefs of police in Regina and Moose Jaw about the
issue. He points out SUMA's interest in tackling crystal meth as well.

"They all recognize this is a threat this has to be addressed. A year ago,
this wasn't on the radar screen. Now, it's a huge problem that we want to
nip in the bud," said Batters. "We're all on the same page here. We in
Saskatchewan are leading the fight."