ATTACK ON METH GETS NEW AMMO

John Les is taking some extra caution to fight crystal meth
production before it gets a foothold in the province.

The Chilliwack-Sumas MLA and solicitor general announced a new plan
last week to tackle the production of meth by cutting off its supply lines.

The drug can be manufactured from a number of legally obtainable
products, such as iodine, red phosphorus from matchbooks, starter
fluid, drain cleaner and paint thinner. One of the essential
components though is pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, an ingredient
found in over-the-counter cough, cold and allergy medicines.

The new provincial plan aims to build on the Meth Watch program,
which encourages retailers and pharmacists that sell medications with
pseudoephedrine or ephedrine to be on the lookout for unusual
purchases, specifically extraordinary bulk purchases that could be
used to manufacture mass quantities of the street drug.

"We're asking the pharmacists and the retailers of the province to be
on the lookout," Les said.

The new program is actually a three-level strategy, with the first
being simply further encouragement among retailers to be aware of any
potential problems. A second phase would see the retail sales of
medications limited to licensed pharmacies if there is any link to
the production of crystal meth. A third phase would make the
medications available by prescription only, if the problem persists.

"I hope it doesn't come to that," Les said. "We will do it if we have to."

Les considers the move a preemptive strike to make sure the supply of
material is cut off at least at the retail level, although presently
in B.C. the materials for meth labs tend to come from bulk sources.
In contrast, in the U.S. and other parts of the country, there has
been more of a problem with meth ingredients coming from the retail
supplies, according to Les.

"B.C. is quite different. Police tell us there's little evidence of that."