LOCAL POLITICIANS LAUNCH METH ASSAULT

Politicians at two different levels of government launched assaults last
week in the war against a drug that has plagued the Yellowhead Region for
years.

Zahra Jamal and Tyler Waugh Leader and Hinton Parklander staff

Legislation was tabled at both the provincial and federal levels that looks
to restrict the distribution of chemicals used to produce crystal
methamphetamine.

Last session the private members Bill C-349, "An Act to Amend the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act," died on the order paper, but
Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield recalled it on March 21.

"Methamphetamine use is increasing despite the best community and police
efforts to fight the spread of illegal meth labs," said Merrifield.

"It allows the RCMP to prosecute for the possession of precursors so they
can trace the chemicals in large amounts and prevent meth labs from cooking
it up. When they do bust a lab, the RCMP can prosecute," he added.

Edson RCMP agree the legislation is needed.

"Yes it 's certainly going to help. There's nothing improper about
regulating the components. It's obviously going to aid us in our work to
benefit the community. As it is now there's no control over the various
substances," said Edson RCMP Staff Sgt. Ian Lande.

Although Lande agrees there's a need for the private member's bill, he
wants to see certain limitations on it.

"The legislation must specify quantities so the average person with
household components won't be in contravention," said Lande. His concern do
not seem to contravene Merrifield's intentions.

"People can get licensed to have these substances, we don't want to
prohibit the normal use of Canadian life -- we just want the RCMP to be
able to push back meth use."

Some of the substances Merrifield referred to include red phosphorus,
acetone and hydrochloric acid.

He said it's difficult to apprehend individuals who are in possession of
large amounts of these chemicals because they're found in regular household
goods and products from the drug store.

"Anyone with a computer and access to a drug store can be in business,"
said Merrifield.

After he reintroduced the bill, Merrifield said he was approached by four
different MPs within 24 hours who were also having meth-related concerns in
their ridings. The MP's have decided to coordinate a meth caucus to help
pool resources.

"It's not just a Yellowhead problem as people think, these are MPs from
different provinces (who have similar concerns)."

The MP added he is still working on a more comprehensive plan to curb the
production of methamphetamine.

"This is only phase one of a larger plan. This bill gives another
significant tool for RCMP to use but it's not strong enough for my liking,"
said Merrifield.

"We've got a ways to go and we're prepared to go there."

Currently there are about four other "stronger" bills Merrifield is
contemplating putting forth in Parliament. He said it will take about four
months to print the legislation so it can be tabled in the House of Commons.

Bill C-349 is part of a motion put forth by Alberta Association of
Municipal Districts and Counties in 2003 to regulate the sale and
possession of large quantities of chemicals used in meth production.

Meanwhile, West Yellowhead MLA Ivan Strang tabled Bill 204 at the
provincial legislature in Edmonton. Introduced March 14, the bill looks to
regulate the storage and sale of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and products
containing the two drugs.

These products are currently available over the counter at Canadian
pharmacies, but Strang said the College of Pharmacists has already been in
discussion with the province about future sale restrictions.

"Hopefully, we can make it that much harder to produce a drug that has
really taken root in the west," said Strang.

His bill is slated to be read in the middle of April.

Put forth by Red Deer Tory MLA Mary-Anne Jablonski, Bill 202, legislation
allowing parents to force drug-addicted kids into treatment, has passed its
second of four votes in the provincial legislature.

However, the bill is facing obstacles from the Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms.

Despite problems with its terminology, Merrifield agrees there's a need for
more action.

"The problem of crystal meth is getting so big and we're getting to a place
where we need a valid piece of legislation," he said.

"Alberta should and would support it, there's a good reason for it. Parents
are having a hard time and there's no support," he added.

The MP wants other Canadians to becoming aware of the growing drug problem.

"If all three of us (Merrifield, Jablonski and West Yellowhead MLA Ivan
Strang) are seeing this a significant problem and if we're doing whatever
we can to push against it, it should be a signal to the rest of Alberta and
Canada," said Merrifield.

Statistics show meth -- also known as jib, ice, or crystal, among other
things -- has become an increasing social ill since the mid-1990s. Arrests
for meth trafficking in Alberta increased from 13 arrests in 1998 to 252 in
2003.