STIFFER METH PENALTIES A GOOD START, SAYS LOCAL MP

Ottawa's announcement Aug. 11 that the maximum penalties for the
production and distribution of crystal meth have been increased is a
good start, says Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield, but more still needs to
be done.

"I'm pleased with the announcement," he said.

The federal government announced on Thursday, Aug. 11, that crystal
methamphetamine had been moved to Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act, which puts it in the same class as cocaine and
heroin. The move means that anyone caught and convicted of possession,
trafficking, importation, exportation and production of the drug could
face up to life in prison. Before the change, the maximum sentence
allowed, in relation to offences involving crystal meth, was 10 years
in prison.

Merrifield said, however, that the government needs to do
more.

"It's not going far enough," he said, adding he would like to see a
minimum sentence of two years in jail established.

"Meth has been a big issue for me...," Merrifield said.

"We're still losing the battle, and this is one battle we don't want
to lose."

Merrifield tabled a private members bill, bill C-349, in May, which
would have allowed the RCMP to lay charges for the possession of meth
precursors such as hydriotic acid and red phosphorus. The bill was not
adopted, but in June the federal government announced that such
substances would be added to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Crystal meth became a major concern in Hinton and the Yellowhead
region around 2003, so much so that the Hinton Drug Action Committee
was formed that same year and went on to launch a door-to-door
awareness campaign and a web site (www.methhurts.com), which earned
then a 2004 Solicitor General Award.

"It's been in Alberta ... our riding was unfortunately victimized by
it first," Merrifield said.

Between 1998 and 2003, arrests for crystal meth trafficking in Alberta
increased from 13 to 109 -- at the same time possession arrests jumped
from 21 to 252.

Tasha Allen Symon, area supervisor for the Alberta alcohol and Drug
Abuse Commission (AADAC) says the announcement may help reduce part of
the problem.

"I think it's probably a part of the puzzle," she said, adding that
the new regulations may be in an attempt to try and reduce the supply
of the drug.

What she and AADAC are more concerned with is reducing the number of
people dependent on the drug.

Merrifield has plans for another private members bill, this one will
propose the minimum two-year jail sentence, and as well he said, it
will include a proposal to classify the production of the drug in the
vicinity of minors as child abuse.