BILL GAINS VOTES

Broad-Base Supports Measure To Fight Crystal Meth, Ecstasy

A private member's bill that would make it a crime to procure the
ingredients of crystal meth and ecstasy for the purpose of
manufacturing the drugs passed second reading unanimously recently in
the House of Commons.

John Weston, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country
sponsored the bill and is urging quick passage. As lawmakers were
leaving the House after the April 14, 287-0 vote, Weston asked one of
his colleagues from the Bloc Quebecois whether it was easy for him to
vote for Bill C-475.

He said, "Yes, because it's good for Quebecers," Weston said.

Before it can become law, the bill still needs to go to the Senate
for comment, then back to the House for third reading, then back to
the Senate for final approval. Many such bills take months to wind
their way through the approval process, only to be quashed when
Parliament is dissolved and an election called.

Weston, a first-term Conservative MP, admitted there's always that
chance with Bill C-475, especially given the fact that his Tories are
in a minority situation. That's one reason he's pushing for it to be
enacted quickly.

"If I have the time, it should get through, but there's always that
challenge," he said.

"Unanimity of support really helps expedite these things, so I've
asked that this be pushed forward as quickly as we can."

The original version of the bill was introduced by Chris Warkentin,
the MP for the Alberta riding of Peace River, in 2006, but didn't
make it through the House. Weston introduced Bill C-475 as a Private
Members' Bill last November.

Addressing the House on April 13, Weston described crystal meth and
ecstasy, two types of methamphetamine, as highly addictive drugs for
which the ingredients are common and fairly easy to obtain.

He told the House of a woman in his riding whom he referred to as
Helen. The 34-year-old had been fighting her addiction to ecstasy for
15 years, he said.

"She confided that the ecstasy had damaged her body and mind
forever," Weston said. "She had experienced severe psychosis, spent
time on the street, been in abusive relationships, and has done
whatever was necessary to get the drugs she craved."

According to Weston, Helen said one of the biggest problems with
crystal meth and ecstasy is their easy availability, a situation that
Bill C-475 seeks to address.

"This bill attempts to attack the problem at its source, dealing
directly with the precursors of these drugs," he said.

The bill, he said, has broad support from a wide range of organizations.