NEW REGULATIONS TARGET ILLICIT DRUG LABS

Will Control Use, Sale Of Certain Chemicals

Federal regulations surrounding the production and sale of chemicals used
in illicit drug labs -- including the alleged lab police raided this week
in Ottawa -- will take effect tomorrow, filling a void that has prompted
criticism from the U.S.

Starting at midnight tonight, companies and individuals will require a
permit and licence to produce, import or export any of 17 listed
substances, in synthetic or natural forms.

No regulations currently exist.

Under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act's Precursor Control
Regulations, the chemicals will include the substances needed to refine
cocaine and heroin, as well as other chemicals needed to make synthetic
street drugs such as methamphetamine, GHB and ecstasy.

Further regulations surrounding the sale, distribution and purchasing of
these chemicals inside Canada will take effect in July 2003. Until that
time, it will be legal to sell, distribute or purchase these chemicals.

Health Canada spokeswoman Jirina Vlk says the regulations "will put
controls on distribution to minimize the risk of diversion for illegitimate
purposes."

The regulations are designed to close a loop-hole in Canada's drug laws
which, in short, allow people to buy chemical ingredients legally and cook
them up to make illegal products.

This is what police allege was happening before Mingh Thoan Ha, 47, of
Ottawa, was arrested on the weekend.

The U.S. has had programs controlling these chemicals since the early
1990s, and has been pressuring Canada to do the same, as illicit Canadian
labs have become major suppliers of synthetic drugs in the U.S.

But some of the chemicals have legitimate industrial and medical purposes,
and the regulations aim to allow companies to use the chemicals while
keeping them away from criminals.

Dave Shearing, an executive with the Canadian Chemical Producers'
Association, says his group has been working with the government and police
agencies on the new regulations.

"The companies work co-operatively with the RCMP and customs to prevent
these chemical from getting into the wrong hands," he said. "If they get a
suspicious order from a company, they alert police."