ALBERTA SHELVES MAIN INGREDIENT OF CRYSTAL METH

Effective immediately, one of the main ingredients used in the production
of crystal methamphetamine will be moved under the watchful eye of local
pharmacists. Following an amendment to provincial regulations,
single-entity pseudoephedrine will be reclassified as a schedule 2 drug,
requiring it to be placed behind the pharmacist's counter.

"With all of the western provinces now on board, we are now able to make a
unified push to control the production of crystal meth," said Health and
Wellness Minister, Iris Evans, "By restricting the sale of the main
precursors of the drug, we hope to reduce the production and sale of this
dangerous drug."

With the regulation change, Alberta joins British Columbia, Saskatchewan
and Manitoba in imposing greater restrictions on the sale of precursors to
the production of crystal meth. Two of the primary ingredients in crystal
meth are ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, medications used to treat sinus
congestion. Many ephedrine products are already classified as a schedule 1
drug, requiring a prescription for access.

"I think we've made the right move to continue our fight against crystal
meth without unnecessarily limiting access to medications that Albertans
may legitimately need," said Evans.

A number of medications, most notably cold medicines, contain
pseudoephedrine as an active ingredient. These products will still be
available on shelves as they contain only limited amounts of
pseudoephedrine. The regulation change will only move single-entity
pseudoephedrine behind pharmacy counters and under the supervision of
pharmacists as it is easier to produce crystal meth from a single-entity
source.

Alberta continues to be a leader in the fight against crystal meth and
other drugs. Over the last year, the province has: opened 24 new detox
residential treatment beds for youth affected by crystal meth, launched a
new task force that will coordinate government and community-based action
against crystal meth, increased funding to the Alberta Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Commission by 12 per cent, including $4.2 million to establish new
youth detoxification and residential treatment services.