PROVINCE STEPS UP FIGHT AGAINST METH

Government Appoints Provincial Working Group

Perth-Middlesex MPP John Wilkinson announced earlier this week the Ontario
government has named Jerry McEwin, chief of the Stratford Police Service,
Richard Young, acting chief of the Stratford Fire Service and Dr. Rosana
Pellizzari, medical officer of health, Perth District Health Unit to its
new provincial crystal meth working group.

"I am extremely pleased that these three outstanding people from my riding
have been asked to serve on the provincial working group," said Wilkinson,
in a press release.

"I am heartened that the provincial government is fully engaged on finding
a solution to the scourge of crystal meth."

At Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Monte Kwinter's
direction, a crystal meth working group was created in June 2005 to
determine the extent of the problem in Ontario and recommend ways the
provincial government could assist communities, health care providers,
educators and police services in dealing with the use and production of meth.

The crystal meth working group held its first meeting in early August.

"Crystal meth is a growing problem for many Ontario communities," said
Kwinter, in a press release.

"We're acting because this drug is highly addictive and ruins the lives of
ordinary Ontarians. Its production is extremely dangerous and threatens
public safety."

Many of the 17 meth lab busts in the province over the last two years have
been in Perth County, where the chemicals needed to make the drug -
including anhydrous ammonia, a fertilizer - can easily be found.

The working group will be co-chaired by David Bedard, the manager of the
organized crime strategy unit at the Ministry of Community Safety and
Correctional Services, and acting detective superintendent Frank Elbers of
the OPP's Drug Enforcement section.

Working group members will also include representatives from the following
organizations:

- - Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario

- - The Ontario Provincial Police

- - The Police Association of Ontario

- - The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

- - The Ontario Building Officials Association

- - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police

- - Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

- - The Ontario Provincial Police Association

- - The Canadian Mental Health Association

- - The Meth Watch Coalition

- - Choices for Change.

With this announcement, the Ontario government is also intensifying its
fight against methamphetamine with additional training and resources for
front-line police officers.

The province is providing $230,000 to the Ontario Police College to build
and equip a mock illegal drug lab.

The lab will include a meth production area and a marijuana grow operation
to train police officers to properly identify, investigate and dismantle
that type of installation.

The college has also prepared a training package for front-line police
officers on the dangers of meth and its production.

"Communities across the province will be safer because of this new
facility, as police officers will get the most up-to-date training on how
to deal with the dangers of crystal meth and marijuana production," said
Rudy Gheysen, director of the Ontario Police College, in a press release.

Wilkinson said that Kwinter, on behalf of the Ontario government, also
supports the recent decision by the federal government to increase the
maximum penalties for the possession, trafficking and production of meth.

The maximum sentence for the production and distribution of meth is now
life in prison, instead of 10 years.

"Our government and its partners have been pressing Ottawa to increase the
sentences related to the production and sale of crystal meth," said Kwinter.

"With our own efforts and stricter sentences, we'll be in a better position
to fight this problem and reduce the risks for many Ontarians."