CANADA CONTRIBUTING TO GLOBAL DRUG TRADE.

UN body says B.C. marijuana: Drug-promoting Web sites also a growing problem

Canada is making significant contributions to the growing worldwide trade
in illicit drugs, says a report by the International Narcotics Control Board.

The 13-member UN body, which today issued its annual global survey for
1998, found several reasons to give Canada a less than glowing review for
its part in the war on drugs.

Chief among them is the sharp increase in potent, high-quality pot being
produced in British Columbia basements and sheds.

"Indoor cannabis cultivation has increased significantly in Canada," the
report concludes. "Seizure data indicates the movement of illicit cannabis
with a high THC content from the province of British Columbia to the United
States."

The yearend roundup also criticizes the Canadian and U.S. governments for
failing to tackle the problem of drug-promoting Web sites.

"Online do-it-yourself guides that enable their readers to prepare and
abuse controlled substances continue to proliferate on the Internet," the
authors write. "While the problem is not confined to North America, many of
the home pages are located on servers in Canada and the United States."

Other Canadian problems identified by the report include the increasing
purity of heroin available on big city streets and the growing number of
young people smoking the opium derivative.

The board does offer some kudos to Canada, noting the government has
introduced legislation to beef-up existing laws against money laundering by
requiring banks to report suspicious transactions to the authorities.

However, the report urges Canadian legislators to bring domestic
regulations on the sale of chemicals that can be used in the manufacture of
illicit drugs up to international standards.

The Vienna-based organization also identifies an increasing worldwide
problem with benzodiazepines, or stress-reducing drugs. While Europeans use
more of the prescription drugs than anyone else, the board is disturbed by
the trend towards their use in children.

It expresses particular concern that "American culture and its drug-taking
behaviour have had a strong influence on other regions." It notes, with
dismay, the rapid growth of prescriptions for methylphenidate in Australia,
Canada, and several European countries. The antidepressant is commonly used
to treat Attention Deficit Disorder.

The board notes Canada has yet to revamp its regulations concerning that
class of drugs to bring them into step with international norms.

"The board urges the government to promulgate those regulations without
delay," the report says.

RELATED SITES

International Narcotics Control Board The North American section of the
international report. http://www.incb.org/e/ar/1998/chp3.htm#IIIB2
Sanctimonious busybodies, we say.

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse http://www.ccsa.ca/ Created by an Act of
Parliament in 1988 to provide a national focus for Canadian efforts to
reduce or eliminate the harm associated with the use of alcohol and other
drugs.

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
http://canada.justice.gc.ca/FTP/EN/Laws/Chap/C/C-38.8.txt Canada's statute
C-38.8, assented to June 20, 1996.

CCSA: A Commentary on the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
http://www.ccsa.ca/c-7.htm A palliative look at Canada's drug laws. Stands
in opposition to the INCB's annual report.

New Scientist http://marijuana.newscientist.com/ An issues forum that makes
a general call for advocates, detractors, and legislators to use reason
when talking about cannibis.

The Friendly Stranger http://www.friendlystranger.com/ A Toronto "cannabis
culture shop" dedicated to restoring "cannabis to its rightful place in
society: a substance that is recognized as far less harmful and definitely
more socially acceptable than alcohol or tobacco."