Editorial -

TACKLING THE MONSTER'S LAB

Crystal meth, the latest narcotic scourge of our era, is a
devastatingly addictive drug that has laid a path of destruction in
the United States and Western Canada.

Now it is at our door.

Actually, it's already here in Ontario but hasn't completely cinched
its claws into the eastern part of the province.

Unfortunately, it is only a matter of time until it does.

Going by history, when it does arrive in full force it will have more
devastating results than heroin, cocaine or even crack. It is more
addictive than all of these and is easily produced with household
chemicals and over-the-counter decongestants.

With this chemical monster at our doorstep it comes as good news that
the federal government has taken a first step in combating its
spread. On Thursday, the feds announced they were raising the maximum
sentence for trafficking or manufacturing crystal meth to 10 years to
act as a deterrent.

While there is plenty of criticism that the measure won't work and is
too lenient, considering there is no minimum sentence, it at least is
a positive development in that the government has finally acted after
standing idly by the past few years.

Yes, the critics are right that this will not stem the tide but
hopefully the sentencing increase can be the first block in building
up a bulwark to prevent a flood of crystal meth from flooding our
schools and streets.

With this first step it is important for all those involved, from the
various levels of government to police enforcement, to quickly come
up with a battle plan before crystal meth enters the region in full force.

Our sister paper in Hanover has documented a serious meth problem in
that small, rural town.

In North Simcoe, we should be vigilant.

If meth is a problem in Hanover, it is here as well.