Pubdate: Fri, 01 Oct 2004
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2004 The StarPhoenix
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Lana Haight and Rich Hall, The StarPhoenix
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

NILSON, SASK. PARTY AT ODDS ON CRYSTAL METH ACTION

The provincial health minister denies that his government is ignoring the 
street drug crystal meth, even though the Saskatchewan Party says the 
province is burying its head in the sand.

"There are efforts that are going to be required by all departments in 
making sure that we stop the epidemic that's happened in other provinces," 
said Sask. Party MLA June Draude at a news conference on Thursday in Saskatoon.

"Our approach right now is being proactive and I am very discouraged that 
this government has refused to acknowledge there's a growing problem."

But Health Minister John Nilson countered her statements by distributing to 
reporters in Regina a news release and conference program from 1998 when he 
was justice minister. Listed on the program were three sessions dealing 
with crystal meth.

"As an NDP government, I know I've been working on this for almost seven 
years, almost as long as the Sask. Party has existed," said Nilson who 
helped organize the conference that was held in Manitoba.

Methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth, crank, ice and glass, is a 
highly addictive street drug that is produced from common chemicals and 
pharmaceuticals in makeshift labs. One of the key ingredients, 
pseudoephedrine, is found in cold remedies that can be bought at pharmacies 
and convenience stores. Young people are particularly attracted to it 
because they can get a powerful high for $10, according to Saskatoon police.

The Health Department ought to be taking the lead in aggressively fighting 
crystal meth use in the province, according to Draude.

"There are two approaches. First of all we have to talk about education and 
prevention, the outreach programs. (We need to) get to our schools, get to 
our young people and talk about the effects of meth. And on the other side, 
we have to see what we're going to do for the people who are addicted," she 
said.

Draude also believes the government should be informing retailers that 
common chemicals and solvents such as iodine, paint thinner and camping 
fuel are needed in addition to the pseudoephedrine to produce the street 
drug. Retailers would be alerted if anyone buys excessive quantities of the 
ingredients.

Draude applauds the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists for taking on the 
role of educator.

Crystal meth is on the college's agenda when pharmacists meet throughout 
the province at their district meetings this fall, says Bill Paterson, 
president of the college who added the college would like to meet with 
teachers in the coming months as well.

"Education, education, education. We really see that's where we have to 
go," he said in a telephone interview from Regina.

"I don't care who does it as long as it gets done. Because nothing else is 
being done, we're seeing it as something we can do. We can be the leaders 
in this and we should be because it's a drug problem and we after all are 
the experts on drugs."

The college encourages drug store owners to voluntarily take cold 
medications off the shelf and make them available through the pharmacist 
only, if they think their store is being used as a source for crystal meth 
ingredients. But it isn't prepared to recommend that government introduce a 
law restricting the sale of the cold remedies to behind the counter of 
pharmacies.

Paterson says the college is waiting for research to show where the 
pseudoephedrine is being purchased.

The health minister believes the pharmacists are the appropriate group to 
be on the front-line fighting crystal meth production but he says several 
government departments are combating illegal drugs.

"There are a whole array of very difficult substances out there to deal 
with both on the enforcement side and on the addictions side," said Nilson.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager