Pubdate: Wed, 07 Jul 2004 Source: Daily Herald-Tribune, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2004 The Daily Herald-Tribune Contact: http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/dht_staff.lasso Website: http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/804 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh