Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jan 2005
Source: Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN)
Copyright: 2005 Prince Albert Daily Herald
Contact:  http://www.paherald.sk.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1918
Author: Keitha Clark, Herald Staff

SASK. PARTY JOINS CRYSTAL METH FIGHT

The Saskatchewan Party is making plans to take the province's crystal meth 
problem into its own hands.

"Frankly, we're not going to wait anymore," says party leader Brad Wall.

On Wednesday, the Saskatchewan Party released its five-point plan on 
reducing the use of crystal meth and other addictive substances in 
Saskatchewan.

The proposed plan advocates treatment programs specifically for children 
and the re-establishment of an independent addictions foundation. The 
foundation would be staffed by experts specializing in up-to-date treatment 
options, said Wall.

The re-establishment of the foundation, which was dissolved in the 1990s, 
would ensure that crystal meth treatment got recognition and priority, said 
Wall.

Other highlights of the five-point plan include distributing posters to 
pharmacies with the list of ingredients and equipment needed to make 
crystal meth.

The posters would make retailers aware of crystal meth ingredients, and 
help prevent people from buying large quantities of the product, said Wall.

One of the ingredients used to make crystal meth is Sudafed, an 
over-the-counter nasal decongestant.

But a pharmacist at the Medi-Centre Pharmacy in Prince Albert said the 
posters will have little effect.

"Knowing what the ingredients are isn't going to help," said Vince Gariepy.

Pharmacists are already aware of crystal meth ingredients through education 
provided by the Saskatchewan Pharmacy Association, said Gariepy.

Starting last summer, the Medi-Centre Pharmacy ensured that large 
quantities of the cough and cold medication used to make crystal meth were 
not readily available, said Gariepy.

None of the ingredients in crystal meth are illegal, which can make it 
difficult to arrest people caught with the ingredients.

Unless there is clear evidence that someone intended to traffic or 
manufacture crystal meth, no charges can be laid, said RCMP spokesman Cpl. 
Brian Jones.

The Saskatchewan Party plans to lobby the federal government to give police 
the ability to arrest people in possession of the ingredients and equipment 
needed to make crystal meth.

While no crystal meth manufacturers have been discovered in the province, 
possession charges are on the rise, said Jones.

Enforcement, education and awareness are vital to alleviating the 
province's crystal meth problem, said Jones. "I don't think there can be 
too much awareness."

Wall said the Saskatchewan Party will continue to call on the government to 
take action about crystal meth.

"It's not about politics, it's about getting awareness out there."

The Prince Albert Parkland Health Region, along with local organizations, 
has been working on the crystal meth issue for several months, said 
spokesman Doug Dahl.

"We have taken action through media campaigns and information sessions," 
said Dahl.
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