MLA ROUTLEY SAYS CRYSTAL METH BILL IMPORTANT

MLA Doug Routley said a proposed NDP bill that would restrict the sale
of cold medicines used in the production of crystal methamphetamine
should be supported by the provincial government.

The proposed bill doesn't impress Solicitor General John Les, though,
even after it received the support of the B.C. Federation of Police
Officers.

Les said he has received extensive advice about drug labs and police
management has made it "very clear that our issue is the bulk
importation" of crystal meth components.

The NDP bill would require pharmacies to keep cold medicines
containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine behind the counter to monitor
sales.

"It's a small step, but it's an important one," said Routley. "In B.C.
we produce the most crystal meth in Canada, but we have the least
legislation to deal with it. We want to show that our communities
don't want crystal meth."

Lake Cowichan town council has introduced a bylaw that also tries to
address the problem, but from a different angle. Called the Controlled
Substances Property Remediation Bylaw, the bylaw will give the town
the authority to force homeowners to pay the costs of the police
dismantling, removing, transporting, storing and disposing of
equipment, substances, materials and other paraphernalia associated
with marijuana grow-ops or drug labs.

Under the bylaw, the property owner would also have to properly clean
their house if it's been used for a grow-op or drug lab before
utilities will be reconnected.

With a file from Tom Fletcher of Black Press.