POLICE BRACE FOR METH BOOM

Fighting drugs is a never-ending battle. Wednesday's massive sweep made a
dent in the pot and ecstasy trade, but more illicit drugs are making their
way into Ottawa.

Methamphetamine -- a common club drug also known as crystal meth, chalk or
ice -- is expected to be the next big thing, with officials already
predicting its move into the capital.

Ottawa police drug section Staff Sgt. Marc Pinault said trends show movement
across the country from the West Coast and it's only a matter of time before
meth labs start popping up in Ottawa.

VANCOUVER A HOT SPOT

"We're not seeing a lot of meth in Ottawa, but we're trying to prepare for
what other people are going through," he said.

Edmonton and Vancouver are the areas with the most activity, mainly operated
by bikers, although Pinault said some Asian organizations have been linked
to meth operations in Western Canada.

"Money, money, money, that's all it's about," he said.

The RCMP reported 14 meth labs across Canada in 1999. In 2003, that number
jumped to 26.

While Pinault said it's difficult to predict when Ottawa will be home to
meth labs, David Clarke, president of Canadian Emergency Planning
Consultants Inc. in Barrie, guesses it's only a matter of two or three years
before "it goes nuts."

"The organized crime that exists in B.C. also exists in Ontario," Clarke
said, noting Outlaw motorcycle gangs and Asian organizations tend to head up
most of the labs in the West.

Every person who learns to make crystal meth passes that knowledge on to 10
other people, making it the "Amway drug," Clarke said. But no matter how
long it takes for meth to move to Ottawa, Pinault warns once it gets here,
it will quickly sprout.

MONTHS OF PREP NEEDED

Meanwhile, drug enforcement officials in the capital are preparing and
training.

Pinault expects it will take six to eight months to prepare for meth labs in
Ottawa, a process which includes training police, paramedics and
firefighters, as well as educating the public to recognize signs of meth
labs.

In many instances, there are children found in homes where meth labs are
being operated, and Pinault said child care workers and abuse investigators
also need to be trained.

"It takes time, money and resources and we're limited," Pinault said.

"In my opinion, I think crystal meth is the most dangerous drug that there
is."