LIBERALS MUM ON CRYSTAL METH

I write regarding Tom Brewer's letter, "Federal politicians oblivious to
crystal meth" in the July 4 edition of the Leader-Post.

As a federal MP who has fought for months to have crystal meth reclassified
as a dangerous drug, I share Brewer's frustration with the federal Liberal
government's reluctance to toughen penalties for trafficking crystal meth.

On three separate occasions during Question Period in the House of Commons,
I have pressed the minister of Justice to take action to reclassify crystal
meth as a Schedule 1 drug. Currently, judges are limited in the sentences
they can impose on offenders because the government has classified crystal
meth as a less-serious, Schedule 3 drug under the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act, instead of a Schedule 1 drug like heroin or cocaine.

However, toughening penalties for criminals doesn't appear to be a priority
for the Liberals. In February, federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler,
promised to respond to this issue by June. June has now come and gone, and
the Liberal government has still failed to act. Now, it says this matter
will be studied until the fall.

Like Brewer, I, too, believe politicians of all stripes need to work
together to solve the growing meth crisis. As I told the Justice Minister
in Question Period, "the only Canadians who would not support reclassifying
crystal meth are crystal meth traffickers."

To ensure the safety of families and communities affected by the spread of
this deadly and highly addictive drug, I have taken steps to put forward a
bill to have crystal meth reclassified as a dangerous drug.

In addition, the Conservative Party's crystal meth caucus, of which I am a
member, will continue to press the government to undertake a comprehensive
strategy to combat crystal meth.

Last month, I asked to attend a western Justice and Health ministers
conference held in Regina on crystal meth. Unfortunately, Premier Lorne
Calvert did not allow my attendance. This was odd, given that many of the
changes that were called for at this meeting can only be achieved in
Ottawa. Clearly, partisan politics should not play a role in this issue.

I will continue to work with members of the provincial NDP government, the
opposition Saskatchewan Party, Mayor Pat Fiacco, law enforcement officers,
community leaders and parents to press the federal Liberal government to
protect our children, and rid our cities of crystal meth.

Dave Batters

Batters is Conservative MP for Palliser.

Regina