METH UNDER ATTACK

Provinces, Feds Begin Offensive to Bring Down Popular Drug

The Manitoba and federal governments launched a two-pronged attack
yesterday on crystal meth traffickers and manufacturers in an effort
to stymie the drug that's growing in popularity locally and nationwide.

The provincial government vows to put cold remedies out of reach of
those who make a highly-addictive, and potentially lethal drug while
the federal government increased the maximum penalties for trafficking
and production of methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth, to life
in prison.

Manitoba Justice Minister Gord Mackintosh said Western provinces are
working on a strategy to limit access to over-the-counter cold
medications, which contain a principal crystal meth ingredient,
pseudoephedrine.

"There will be restrictions put on cold remedies very soon, that is
certain," Mackintosh said. "The only question is the details of that."

The plan could include moving cold medications behind counters, or
limiting their sale to pharmacies.

"Those are all questions that are on the table," Mackintosh
said.

Producers cook cold remedies to extract ephedrine and mix it with
common chemicals such as drain cleaner, red phosphorus, ammonia and
paint thinner. The drug is often produced in makeshift labs set up in
homes.

The destructive drug has spread across the U.S., Alberta, B.C. and
into Manitoba. In April, RCMP stumbled on the makings of a crystal
meth lab near Riding Mountain National Park.

Mackintosh said Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C., the Yukon and
Northwest Territories agreed to work toward the strategy at a meeting
of justice and health ministers from Western Canada and the
northwestern U.S. on June 10 in Regina.

A report is expected in early October. Mackintosh didn't supply a
deadline to introduce restrictions, but he's previously said they
could be in place by the end of the year.

Meanwhile yesterday, Ottawa toughened penalties for crystal meth
makers. It upped the maximum prison sentence for production and
trafficking from 10 years to life. That puts crystal meth penalties on
par with those for drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

Premier Gary Doer had been pushing for the move, but Mackintosh said
he also wants to see more.

"This is an excellent step forward," said Mackintosh, adding Manitoba
has asked for stiff minimum penalties too. "We're going to work with
the federal government to move even further."

He'd also like to see possession of equipment and ingredients for
making crystal meth become an offence, tighter federal controls over
ephedrine distribution, and controls to make sure only legitimate
manufacturers can get key chemicals.

Crystal meth creates a feeling of euphoria but can cause psychosis,
depression, and make users violent. It can also cause lethal heart
attacks and strokes.

Addictions Foundation of Manitoba CEO John Borody said the stiffer
penalties may not deter crystal meth labs run by organized crime, but
may stop smaller operations from springing up.

"I don't think any of us believe that it will stop it, but we're
hoping those individuals will think twice before getting involved in
this," Borody said.

He also supported the notion of moving medications behind the
counter.

Manitoba Tory justice critic Kelvin Goertzen, however, predicted the
stiffer jail sentences won't do much because judges rarely hand out
maximum sentences.

"It's no real deterrent," Goertzen said. "It's window dressing that's
not going to make any difference."

"If (the federal government) wanted to do something that had an affect
they could put in a minimum sentence, then people who are
manufacturing crystal meth would know that they're going to do some
time."

He noted he's been calling to move products with pseudoephedrine
behind retail counters for months. He said he's pleased to hear
Mackintosh but wants to see him follow through.