CLANDESTINE DRUG LAB CONFERENCE FOR PERTH COUNTY

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police held a Clandestine Drug Lab
Conference in Stratford, March 21, 22.

The purpose of the conference was to discuss trends surrounding the
development of illegal drug labs and the diversion of chemicals used
to make them, the impact of methamphetamine on the community and the
impact of the RCMP's National Chemical Diversion Program.

Stratford mayor Dan Mathieson said it was fitting that the RCMP
decided to hold the conference in Stratford because of the work the
Perth County Task Force on Crystal Meth has been doing, and will
continue to do in combating the making and use of illegal drugs locally.

"In their minds, we've done a great job at addressing the problem we
haven't eradicated it but we've worked very hard at building public
awareness and education, trying to make sure that addiction counseling
and strong enforcement is in place," said Mr. Mathieson, who had some
strong words for the federal government on the issue of keeping
chemicals used to make illegal drugs out of the hands of the
manufacturers.

Mayor Mathieson said Health Canada has a "hideous record" of keeping
track of chemicals that are used as ingredients for drugs like crystal
meth. He expressed disappointment that Health Canada only has four
inspectors to monitor the whereabouts of the materials.

In response to Mr. Mathieson's statements, Perth-Wellington MP Gary
Schellenberger issued a press release outlining new measures in the
recent federal budget to address the growing problems with crystal
meth and other illegal drugs.

"The new National Drug Strategy will provide the means to combat
illicit drug use, which has wreaked havoc on so many communities in
Perth-Wellington," said Mr. Schellenberger. Targeting three priority
areas, the new strategy will fight illegal drug production while
preventing drug use and treating drug dependency, he explained.

The federal government already spends $385 million per year on
anti-drug initiatives, but the new National Drug Strategy will boost
that total by $63.8 million over two years. It will also focus
spending toward reducing both supply and demand for illicit drugs,
while addressing drug-related crimes, Mr. Schellenberger stated.

Corporal Brent Hill of the RCMP National Chemical Diversion Program
called the operation of methamphetamine labs a "crime of greed," and
that the type of labs that produce dangerous drugs is changing.

"You have small drug labs that are hidden in the community where the
addict is going out and purchasing a concoction of chemicals from
hardware stores or pharmacies, but now what we see is organized crime
taking over because there's such a demand for methamphetamine," said
Cpl. Hill, adding that the drug labs operated by organized crime pose
a greater risk to public safety. "They become more problematic and
more dangerous because of the shear bulk of chemical precursors, and
you're dealing with individuals that are not trained chemists. They're
cooks, they don't hold university degrees and they don't appreciate
the dangers that are associated with toxic chemicals."