NEW METH LAWS PRAISED

Calgary Street Cops Still Fear Use Of The Drug Is Going To Mushroom Anyway

New, tougher penalties -- including life behind bars -- for those involved
in the crystal meth racket are being hailed by authorities, but those who
work the street say it won't make a difference.

The feds announced the stiffer sentences yesterday and said the penalties
for possessing, making and trafficking crystal meth -- which were capped at
10 years behind bars -- are now in line with offences associated with hard
drugs, such as heroin and cocaine.

Insp. Al Hargreaves, boss of the Calgary Police Service's organized crime
section, joined others in Canadian law enforcement in applauding the
announcement.

"This is a significant issue and we're always encouraged when we see any
steps taken at addressing the problem," he said.

"The new laws are saying, as Canadians, we won't tolerate this."

Methamphetamine is quickly taking over as the drug of choice for users and
has mushroomed in Western Canada. The drug is said to be more addictive
than crack, has longer lasting effects and is cheaper to purchase.

The drug can be snorted, injected, smoked or swallowed, and gives a rush of
energy and a sense of well-being, which then gives way to deep depression
and paranoia making the user desperate for another dose.

The drug is beginning to make its presence known here, said Calgary police
Sgt. Richard Nyberg, who works the downtown core.

"Meth has been in Calgary for a while, but it has really come on strong in
the downtown in the last two or three weeks, and suddenly it's out there in
a big way," the 25-year police veteran said.

"The problem is the hard-core crack users don't really get a rush from the
drug anymore, so for them to get into meth isn't a big jump."

And that's what worries the seasoned street veteran. "I find crack addicts
have done terrible things to support their habits and many of them are
ashamed of what they've done," Nyberg said.

"But the meth users -- and I've dealt with a few of them -- are incredibly
violent and very confrontational and anything can set them off."

Many dealers are also users and that's one reason Nyberg and other
frontline workers said the tougher laws won't make a difference.

"The punishment is better, but how many crimes do people actually do life
for? No one," Nyberg said.

"To be honest, I don't think any of us -- the police or the citizens of
this city -- have any idea of what we're in for," he said. "Meth is going
to make crack cocaine look like Aspirin."