GOVERNMENT, PHARMACISTS TAKING CRYSTAL METH SERIOUSLY

The provincial health minister denies that his government is ignoring the
street drug crystal meth, even though the Saskatchewan Party says the
province is burying its head in the sand.

"There are efforts that are going to be required by all departments in
making sure that we stop the epidemic that's happened in other provinces,"
said Sask. Party MLA June Draude at a news conference Thursday in Saskatoon.

"Our approach right now is being proactive and I am very discouraged that
this government has refused to acknowledge there's a growing problem."

But Health Minister John Nilson countered her statements by distributing to
reporters in Regina a news release and conference program from 1998 when he
was justice minister. Listed on the program were three sessions dealing
with crystal meth.

"As an NDP government, I know I've been working on this for almost seven
years, almost as long as the Sask. Party has existed," said Nilson who
helped organize the conference that was held in Manitoba.

Methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth, crank, ice and glass, is a
highly addictive street drug that is produced from common chemicals and
pharmaceuticals in makeshift labs. One of the key ingredients,
pseudoephedrine, is found in cold remedies that can be bought at pharmacies
and convenience stores. Young people are particularly attracted to it
because they can get a powerful high for $10, according to Saskatoon police.

The health department ought to be taking the lead in aggressively fighting
crystal meth use in the province, according to Draude.

"There are two approaches. First of all we have to talk about education and
prevention, the outreach programs. (We need to) get to our schools, get to
our young people and talk about the effects of meth. And on the other side,
we have to see what we're going to do for the people who are addicted," she
said.

Draude also believes the government should be informing retailers that
common chemicals and solvents such as iodine, paint thinner and camping
fuel are needed in addition to the pseudoephedrine to produce the street
drug. Retailers would be alerted if anyone buys excessive quantities of the
ingredients.

Draude applauds the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists for taking on the
role of educator.

Crystal meth is on the college's agenda when pharmacists meet throughout
the province at their district meetings this fall, says Bill Paterson,
president of the college who added the college would like to meet with
teachers in the coming months as well.

"Education, education, education. We really see that's where we have to
go," he said.

"I don't care who does it as long as it gets done. Because nothing else is
being done, we're seeing it as something we can do. We can be the leaders
in this and we should be because it's a drug problem and we after all are
the experts on drugs."

The college encourages drug store owners to voluntarily take cold
medications off the shelf and make them available through the pharmacist
only, if they think their store is being used as a source for crystal meth
ingredients. But it isn't prepared to recommend that government introduce a
law restricting the sale of the cold remedies to behind the counter of
pharmacies.

Paterson says the college is waiting for research to show where the
pseudoephedrine is being purchased.

The health minister believes the pharmacists are the appropriate group to
be on the front-line fighting crystal meth production but he says several
government departments are combating illegal drugs.

"There are a whole array of very difficult substances out there to deal
with both on the enforcement side and on the addictions side," said Nilson.