METH MOVE CALLED GOOD FIRST STEP

Yesterday's federal government announcement raised methamphetamines into
Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The move puts
crystal meth on the same level as cocaine and heroin, when it comes to
criminal sentencing in court cases.

As a Schedule I drug, those who make, import, sell or possess crystal
methamphatamine, can face stiffer sentences.

The maximum penalty before this week's announcement gave up to 10 years to
producers and distributors of the drug - now they could face life in prison.

Provincial premiers hailed the announcement as an important step, from
their meeting in Banff, Alberta this week.

For Turner and the task force, which is just coming together with their
plans and strategies for the next three months, it's a welcome sign of
support in addressing the problem.

"Just as the task force is very diverse in it's approach of handling this
issue, there are parts that this task force can't [address]," says Turner.