'STARS ALIGN' FOR MP'S ANTI-METH BILL

Questions Over Harm Reduction Remain

West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky MP John Weston again reveled
in uniting a rarely harmonious House of Commons during a presentation
of his private member's bill Friday (May 7) that would allow
authorities to prosecute the purchase of legal substances for the
manufacturing of ecstasy and crystal meth.

Friday's debate was the beginning of third reading, the final stage
of debate in the House of Commons before the piece of legislation is
voted on again and sent to the Senate.

During his 15-minute presentation, Weston pointed to a chance
encounter to illustrate how "the stars aligned" to make the bill a reality.

"I was on a flight from Ottawa to Vancouver when I chanced to sit
next to a board member for (the Baldy Hughes Addiction Treatment
Centre in Prince George) Kevin England, who proceeded to add to and
encourage the efforts of the great team of people who support the
bill," Weston said.

"When we meet strangers on flights who provide informed support for a
legislative initiative, we know the stars are aligned and the idea is
one whose time has come."

Targeted ingredients in the bill include meth's precursor chemicals,
such as pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and Sudafed, which are commonly
found in over-the-counter cold medications, as well as acetone,
rubbing alcohol and iodine.

"The bill would give our law enforcement community a powerful new
tool with which to confront the growing menace of two drugs which are
attacking the health and welfare of Canadians," Weston said.

He said the bill addresses the possibility of wrongful conviction by
emphasizing the criminal's intent and state of mind when purchasing
or in possession of the substances.

Members of federal parties across the board supported the bill, along
with a long list of community groups, justice organizations and
municipalities in Weston's riding.

One such endorsement came on behalf of the B.C. Association of Police
Chiefs in a letter from West Vancouver Police Department chief
constable Peter Lepine, which Weston quoted.

"From lives lost and families torn apart by addiction to the fear and
cost of drug-related crime, to the risk of fires and explosions
related to meth labs. The public safety risks and methamphetamine are
real, substantial and growing all the time," wrote Lepine.

Although it was supported unanimously, questions over the
Conservative Party's focus on law enforcement rather than harm
reduction were nonetheless uppermost in critics' minds.

Weston said the Conservatives have increased provincial health care
transfers by six per cent per year since the 2006-'07 budget, and
three per cent in social transfer payments.

"Therefore, the government is standing behind the provinces in their
attempts to deal with the problem," he said.

However, NDP member Megan Leslie had her own numbers while pointing
out that the government's 2007 anti-drug strategy removed references
to harm reduction and put greater emphasis on law enforcement.

Weston said rather than viewing this as criticism, he actually takes
it as a "backhanded endorsement" of the government's actions.

"When the MP from another party stands up and says 'I'm going to
support this bill and why can't we do other things too,' I find
myself nodding and saying, 'Well let's get this bill passed and see
what we can do to build on it.'"