Pubdate: Fri, 12 Aug 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Matthew Ramsey
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

CRACKDOWN ON CRYSTAL METH

More Rehab Options, Harsher Jail Sentences

Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh says he'll table a proposal for a
national crystal-meth rehabilitation program at a coming meeting of
provincial health ministers.

Dosanjh told The Province he's looking at a plan in which the federal
government would set aside a cash reserve to help fund co-ordinated
methamphetamine-specific addiction-rehab services across Canada.

"Much of what happens on the ground isn't regulated or controlled by
us," Dosanjh said yesterday. "It's the provinces. That's not to say
it's their responsibility . . . We need to be more coordinated. We
need to provide more resources."

Conservative MP Randy Kamp, chairman of the party's crystal-meth task
force, hailed the proposal.

"I think it's a good idea," he said. "The treatment issues are
different from some of the other drugs," he said.

Meth addicts are notoriously difficult to treat, are prone to violent
outbursts and can be psychotic.

Dosanjh, along with federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, was in
Vancouver to announce an increase in the maximum penalties for
possession, trafficking, importation, exportation and production of
crystal meth.

The cheap and easily-made drug will be included in Schedule 1 of the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act along with cocaine and heroin.
Those convicted of production and distribution will face a maximum
sentence of life behind bars, up from 10 years. Simple possession
sentences will also be increased to seven years, from the current three.

Cotler could not recall a single incident when someone convicted of
cocaine or heroin crimes has received a life sentence.

Four precursor products needed to make the highly addictive drug have
been added to the government's list of controlled chemicals. Anyone
who wants to buy them will need a licence. Without it, anyone in
possession could be fined $5,000 or sent to jail for a maximum of
three years.

Over-the-counter products containing ephedrine and pseudephedrine will
not be restricted, Dosanjh said, despite the fact that several U.S.
states, including Washington, have set strict limits on how much of
those products consumers can buy.

Describing the changes as a "comprehensive" government-wide strategy,
Cotler said federal prosecutors will be able to present impact
statements in meth-related trials and a special team of prosecutors
will deal with the most serious cases.

However, minimum sentences are not included in the changes, an
omission B.C. Solicitor General John Les said is unfortunate.

Les described meth as a "more nefarious drug than cocaine" given the
devastating impact it has on users. Meth can cause permanent brain
damage, psychosis and a host of lifelong health problems, even death.

"People who are engaged in activities like [meth production,
trafficking and distribution] are, in essence, accessories to murder,"
Les said.

RCMP drug awareness Cpl. Scott Rintoul said the key to slowing the
spread of crystal meth and lessening its often deadly impact is a
coordinated approach. Thirty-three people died with the drug in their
systems in B.C. in 2004, 15 in 2003, nine in 2002, five in 2001 and
three in 2000.

While he's pleased to see enforcement beefed up, Rintoul said
intervention and treatment are key.

"That's what we want," Rintoul said. "With cocaine we did nothing.
It's still a huge problem. With this [meth], we've dealt with
[awareness]. Success now will rely on the treatment side and early
intervention side."

n A Province feature series on the dangers and prevalence of crystal
methamphetamine in B.C. was a major motivating factor in the federal
government's toughening of the laws surrounding the drug. Dosanjh said
he read the week-long series after it ran in April.

"We recognized that this issue is spreading like wildfire. Obviously,
it's a major issue and part of that awakening was a result of the
series done by [The Province]," he said. "That was part of the wake-up
. . . Ever since then we've been worried. We've been thinking."

The government announced in June it would take steps to limit access
to precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of the drug. Dosanjh
and Cotler announced yesterday the drug will now be classified in the
same category as cocaine and heroin, meaning producers and traffickers
will be subject to stiffer penalties.

"Kudos to the federal government for acting so dramatically," said
Province Editor-in-Chief Wayne Moriarty. "I am thrilled the work of
the dedicated reporters and editors here at the paper had such an
influence on the health minister."

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