METH PROPOSALS ARE A GOOD START

When dealing with a drug scourge like crystal meth, it sometimes seem
an uphill, perhaps even futile struggle to stop the spread. When drug
dealers and producers can be found boldly producing the product in
residential areas, when courts deal with an ever-increasing list of
meth-related crimes and more and more young people are finding
themselves hooked on the addictive and destructive drug, it might
tempt some to throw up their hands and ask "What can be done?"

Fortunately, there are people working on solutions. The Perth County
Task Force on Crystal Meth recently came forward with five proposals
to offer a provincial working group dealing with meth issues. For the
most part, their proposals represent realistic and practical ways to
tackle the problems associated with meth.

Providing training and equipment for first responders makes good
sense, as emergency services personnel are increasingly being called
into potentially dangerous situations in dealing with meth labs.

Community education is another vital weapon in the battle against
meth. The general public, including the parents of the youths most
vulnerable to introduction to the drug, have far too little
understanding of its dangers and warning signs of its use.

Imposing a five-year minimum sentence for producing or trafficking in
meth, as the task force suggests, would also be a positive move.
Maximum sentences have already been increased from 10 years, to life
imprisonment, but maximum sentences are rarely handed out and,
apparently, little feared by the hard-core criminals who make and sell
meth. A minimum five-year term, on the other hand, would show them
even a first offender would get more than a slap on the wrist. This
move should have some deterrent value.

Development of services to treat meth addicts would also be a highly
positive move. With what is known about the extremely addictive nature
of crystal meth, it's obvious specific treatment program will be
needed to help those who are prepared to help themselves break free.

One recommendation that will require some careful consideration is a
suggestion police be allowed greater powers, specifically easier
access to search warrants, when dealing with drug-related crime. If
this means streamlining the process to get the request for a warrant
before the courts, by all means move forward. However, the criterion
for obtaining a search warrant in Ontario is not unreasonable and
should be adhered to for all types of crime. Police should be able to
show reasonable grounds exist that criminal activity has, or is, being
committed at a property before conducting a search.

The proposals from the Perth County group should be given substantial
weight by the provincial working group, given this area's unfortunate
status as an advantageous location for meth production. The
recommendations represent a good start in what must be an all-out
battle against meth and those who would profit from it.

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