METH RESTRICTIONS ARE NOW LONG OVERDUE

Hinton Parklander -- Local politicians took a big step towards curbing
crystal methamphetamine production last week by introducing bills that will
restrict access to some of the drug's ingredients.

Bills brought forward at a federal level by Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield
and at a provincial level by West Yellowhead MLA Ivan Strang are a step in
the right direction.

While it is agonizing how much time it will take for them to be formally
read (April for Strang's bill, maybe as late as the fall for Merrifield's),
at least the wheels have been set in motion.

One of the prevailing theories as to why Canada, and particularly Western
Canada, is such a meth hot spot is because of the relatively unfettered
access to the chemicals and pharmaceuticals needed to create the drug.

Strang's bill would look to restrict the way precursor drugs like ephedrine
and pseudoephedrine are stored and sold in Alberta pharmacies. The fact
that the College of Pharmacists seems to be working alongside the province
on this matter is an encouraging sign. If Strang's legislation allows for
the tracking of ephedrine purchases then that would, indeed, be a
substantial development.

Merrifield's legislation would look to regulate the amount of precursor
chemicals -- like red phosphorus -- that an individual can purchase or store.

These pieces of legislation -- if passed -- are long overdue, especially
considering that several states in the U.S. have had similar laws in place
for some time now.

By limiting access to these ingredients, politicians will give police
another tool to go after meth operations.

Having tools in a fight like this is a good thing, but let's hope that
there's more money in upcoming budgets to make sure rural Alberta has
enough police to wield those new tools effectively, and safely.