DRUG STRATEGY A GOOD STEP

The latest in a long line of federal drug strategies - this one aimed
specifically at so-called synthetic drugs - is a much needed and
welcome effort.

The Synthetic Drug Initiative, announced this month, is the first
Canadian drug strategy to focus entirely on a single class of drugs.

If it succeeds in putting more illegal drug makers in prison and
keeping more of these extremely dangerous drugs out of Alberta
schools it will benefit everyone, including residents of West Central Alberta.

Synthetic drugs include MDMA, or ecstasy, as it is commonly known,
and methamphetamine, both drugs popular among some Canadian youth;
and in the case of methamphetamine, highly addictive and dangerous to
the user's health.

The aim of the new strategy is to do away, as much as possible, with
the production and distribution of synthetic drugs and to reduce the
overall influence of organized crime on drug trafficking in Canada,
said Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety.

"The production, trafficking and distribution of illegal drugs will
not be tolerated. The initiative will target illicit synthetic drug
industry on three fronts; enforcement, deterrence and prevention," he said.

Justice Minister Nicholson added: "Our government recognizes that
illegal drugs undermine healthy and safe communities, fuel organized
crime and foster street-level gangs."

This new strategy is the latest in a long string of similar anti-drug
initiatives undertaken by justice and health officials over the past
year. And while it may appear that the war against drugs is an
endless, losing battle, the efforts are absolutely necessary.

Leona Aglukkaq, federal minister of health, says halting the
proliferation of illegal drugs amounts, in the end, to a public health issue.

"This initiative is a critical step in the co-ordinated fight against
the serious dangers to public health and safety posed by the illegal
production of synthetic drugs and their widespread trafficking across
Canada," said Aglukkaq.

Canada's health-care systems are under enough pressure these days
without having to deal with children and adults addicted to synthetic
drugs made and distributed by organized crime.

If this new strategy leads to fewer people having their health
permanently ruined by these dangerous substances, then all the
expense and effort will be worthwhile.

And while programs that provide treatment for addicts of all ages
must also continue to be supported by all levels of government, any
initiative that helps police put the drug makers in jail is good news.

The war against illegal drugs will not be won by this new initiative,
but it will hopefully make a difference.

And to those critics who say targeting illegal drugs is
counterproductive, the question remains: which is more important,
organized crime profits or public health?