MIXED REVIEW FOR METH LAW

As Canadian Premiers applauded the new maximum penalty for
methamphetamine related drug charges some are skeptical that this will
halt production of the drug.

Last Thursday Federal Health Minister, Ujjal Dosanjh announced that
the maximum penalty for possession, trafficking, production,
importation and exportation of the drug methamphetamine, will increase
from 10 years to life imprisonment.

The announcement comes after reported epidemic proportions of U.S. use
of the chemical and a growing concern for its use in Alberta and
Western Canada.

The drug is now in the same category as heroin and cocaine of schedule
one of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.

"I think it should be 15 years on first offense then life," said
professor and Neurologist, Bill Tatton. Tatton feels that a tougher
minimum sentence would help to stop meth use.

Tatton held an information seminar in June at Matthew Halton High
School with Constable Paul Kelly on what he feels is a growing problem
in southern Alberta and especially on the blood reserves.

At the seminar in June, Tatton warned Pincher Creek residents that
meth use was increasing in Cardston, Fort Macleod, Coalhurst,
Lethbridge, and Pincher Creek.

"It's a step in the right direction," said Kelly of the new maximum
penalty.

"We haven't seen a lot of evidence but there is some," said Kelly of
meth use in Pincher Creek.

Meth users become addicted after only trying the drug one time and
users can go to great extremes to get their fix. Some critics have
said that the law will force desperate meth users to manufacture it
themselves and that what needs to be done is putting a ban on the
sales of chemicals that are used in meth production.

Cold medications, paint thinner, drano, ether, and lithium are some of
the readily available ingredients used in the production of meth.

"Any type of enforcement is going to assist," said Pincher Creek RCMP
Sergeant, Bruce James. He feels that the new law needs to be utilized
in addition with getting drug users help.