Pubdate: Fri, 03 Jun 2005 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2005 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Michelle MacAfee Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) MOUNTIE SOUNDS ALARM ON CRYSTAL METH Urges Quick Action To Avert Epidemic MANITOBA'S growing problem with methamphetamines could quickly spiral out of control if law-enforcers and lawmakers don't act swiftly, one of the province's top RCMP officers warned yesterday. Chief Supt. Bill Robinson said Manitobans need only look to their neighbours to the south to see just how devastating crystal meth addiction can be. "We're facing a dilemma here," Robinson said during a panel discussion on meth at the fifth annual international legislators' forum. "I don't think we're at an epidemic proportion yet, but if we don't take action we're going to be hit with the wave -- it's coming." Robinson told the group of 34 legislators from Manitoba, South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota that the RCMP are trying to reach children with prevention and education programs as young as elementary school age. "When you get in at that level, at least we stand a 50-50 chance of making a difference." But Robinson acknowledged stopping the production, trafficking and abuse of meth creates a different set of challenges for police than other drugs. It's easy to make, it's easier to hide than a large-scale marijuana grow op and it can be made in either small "clan" or "mom and pop"-style operations or large so-called super labs. There's a high price to pay if the problem isn't dealt with effectively, said U.S. representatives at the two-day forum. In North Dakota, 60 per cent of all prison inmates are meth addicts, state legislator Ole Aarsvold said. "It's a devastating situation," he said. Aarsvold said his state is trying to curb the problem by clamping down on the sale of chemicals used to make meth, such as the cold remedy ephedrine, and locking farm tanks that contain anhydrous ammonia. In an interview after his presentation, Robinson said RCMP have started seeing crystal meth in all corners of Manitoba over the last couple of years. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom