CRACKING DOWN ON METH

Police, pharmacists teaming up to beat drug producers

Grande Prairie police are hailing a move by pharmacists across Western
Canada to keep the ingredients used in creating the potent street drug
crystal meth out of the hands of those who make it.

The change will mean products that contain ephedrine and
pseudoephedrine will only be available behind the counter and will
only be sold in small quantities, Tracy Marsden, president of the
Alberta College of Pharmacists, said Tuesday.

"This step is in support of efforts to curb the production and use of
methamphetamine," said Marsden, who believes the measure is the first
of its kind in Canada.

RCMP in Grande Prairie said the move is a welcome one to help stem the
rising tide of the artificially-brewed stimulant.

"The steps the pharmacists are taking in reducing access to some of
the precursors used in producing methamphetamines are welcome," said
Cpl. Brent Mundle of the Grande Prairie RCMP.

Though no meth production labs have been uncovered in the Grande
Prairie area, crystal meth is still one of the most prevalent 'hard'
drugs on city streets, said Mundle.

"In the last year we've noticed an increase in the amount of
methamphetamines in the community," he said. "That use has led to an
increase in theft and property offences."

Some local pharmacies had already pulled meth ingredients - sold as
cold remedies and decongestants - off the shelves before the college's
decision. Tara Cameron, manager of the Grande Prairie Wal-Mart
pharmacy, said she was directed to pull ephedrine and pseudeophedrine
products several weeks ago.

She said pharmacy workers have also been told to watch for suspicious
bulk buyers.

"We're supposed to be watching the sales, especially for people who
buy excessive amounts. It's difficult, but we try," she said. "I don't
think we have much in the way of people buying it for that purpose."

The profile of the highly addictive drug was torqued up a notch last
week when a B.C. ministerial aide was arrested July 1 and charged with
trafficking.

While Marshall Smith has denied the charges, he has admitted to
substance abuse problems.

Brenda Osmond, deputy registrar of the B.C. College of Pharmacists,
said druggists across the country have been alerted to the ingredients
used in the drug's creation so they can prevent large bulk sales to
pushers.

"We have been in communication with the RCMP," Osmond said. "I
wanted to make sure they knew that we regulated the conditions for the
sale of product in the province and them to let us know if there was
anything we could do to combat the problem."

But, Osmond cautioned, the ingredients in crystal meth such as
ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and ephedra and other products can be
bought at other retail outlets such as grocery stores.

Marsden said that while the products will be behind-the-counter, they
are still available for legitimate users.

"Individuals with a legitimate need for the products can still readily
obtain them from their pharmacist."

The colleges' move received praise from Alberta Solicitor General
Heather Forsyth, who is due to meet with B.C. Solicitor General Rich
Coleman later this year to discuss combatting the drug.

"We must continue to tackle this problem from every angle in a
co-ordinated and comprehensive manner," Forsyth said at a joint news
conference in Edmonton.