Pubdate: Thu, 16 Jun 2005 Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Copyright: 2005 The Leader-Post Ltd. Contact: http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361 Author: Tim Switzer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) HEALTH CANADA REACTING TO WESTERN EFFORTS TO CURB METH USE Health Canada officials are taking recommendations from the Western Ministers' conference on crystal meth very seriously, even though the department made changes even before the conference began. Early Friday, just before the ministers met in Regina, federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh and Justice Minister Irwin Cotler announced the federal government's intent to strengthen licensing controls on the key ingredients in crystal meth as well as the date rape drug, GHB. Four chemicals used in making crystal meth -- red phosphorus, white phosphorus, hypophosphorous acid and hydriodic acid -- now require a license and permit to import, export, produce or distribute. The government is also considering amending the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to allow for tougher penalties for production, possession and trafficking. Those were two of the five recommendations that eventually came from the western ministers at the conclusion of the one-day conference. They also urged the federal government to create offenses for possession of key ingredients, commit adequate resources to the enforcement of precursor controls and to create a national crystal meth campaign. Chris Williams, a spokesperson for Health Canada, said department officials are now taking the other recommendations under advisement. "We acknowledge the work that the western provinces are doing to address the concern of increased use and production of methamphetamine in their regions," he said. "We also support them in their efforts to find collaborative ways of addressing the issues." Williams said they are now talking to stakeholders about moving crystal meth up to a Schedule 1 drug. As for the most concrete step taken by ministers at the conference -- restricting the sale of cold remedies containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine -- Saskatchewan's governing body for pharmacists isn't sure if it will be worthwhile. "So far we've resisted pressure to impose restrictions because we haven't seen any evidence of increased sales that are leading to the clandestine manufacture of crystal meth," said Ray Joubert, registrar for the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists. "If that were the case and there were solid evidence to support it, that's certainly something we would consider very seriously." Ministers have directed officials to report back by Oct. 1 with recommendations as to how the substances will be restricted. Joubert said a balance between limiting access for illicit use and those who legitimately need the medicines is needed but the college will ask members to abide by whatever is decided by the government. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom