LOCAL MLA CALLS FOR MANDATORY JAIL TIME FOR CRYSTAL METH DEALERS

Maple Ridge Mission MLA Randy Hawes wants to put some teeth into
Canada's drug laws to fight the methamphetamine scourge on local streets.

And he's calling for mandatory federal prison terms for makers and
distributors of the addictive drug.

To put some pressure on the federal government he's circulating a
petition soon to be available in stores in the Fraser Valley.

It calls for the end of the "velvet glove" approach to criminals, the
MLA said in a release.

"A huge percentage of the break-ins and garage thefts, shoplifting,
and aggressive violent behavior are related to this substance and you
or your kids could be the next victims," Hawes said.

"Think of the pictures of the police wearing full chemical protective
suits when shutting down crystal meth labs and then consider that in
some cases there are children in these homes without the benefit of
chemical suits. Do these criminals deserve significant jail time? I
think so."

Hawes is also calling for the removal of the right to bail if an
accused re-offends while on bail from a previous crystal meth-related
charge.