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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom