Pubdate: Wed, 22 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: Mia Rabson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

CRYSTAL METH

Private Bill Seeks Up To Life Term For Manufacture

'Crank' Less Restricted Than Pot

A push by western provinces to get Canada to increase the penalties for 
producing crystal meth will take on new steam shortly, when a private 
members' bill reclassifying the drug is introduced in the House of Commons.

Two Conservative Party MPs plan to introduce a bill reclassifying crystal 
methamphetamine from a schedule three drug to a schedule one drug, the same 
category as cocaine, opium, ecstasy and heroin. It means the maximum 
sentence for producing it will go from 10 years to life in prison.

B.C. MP Randy Kamp and Saskatchewan MP Dave Batters have sent the bill to 
the legislative counsel to be drafted into proper form, and hope to 
introduce in the fall at the latest.

Crystal meth is a central-nervous-system stimulant often referred to on the 
street as "speed" or "crank," and is considered to be one of the most 
highly addictive drugs available. Some studies have found more than 90 per 
cent of first-time users become addicted.

It is often more popular than cocaine or heroin because it can easily be 
made in anybody's kitchen, using popular over-the-counter cold remedies or 
many products sold in health food stores that contain ephedrine.

"Crystal meth has become such a problem but it currently doesn't even have 
the same restrictions as marijuana," Kamp said. "It only makes sense to 
send the message you're not just going to get a slap on the wrist for 
producing it." Marijuana is a schedule two drug, and has a maximum sentence 
for production of seven years.

Manitoba Attorney General Gord Mackintosh praised the bill but said he'd 
like to see more legislative changes in Ottawa to deal with crystal meth, a 
drug he says is highly addictive, and a growing problem, particularly in 
western Canada.

He also fears the bill will never make it through debate, noting how few 
private members' bills ever make it to a vote. But he said he hopes this 
will continue to push Ottawa to actually listen to what so many people are 
now saying.

Mackintosh said a B.C. judge was first to note the discrepancy between 
crystal meth and cocaine in 2001.

The western premiers asked Ottawa to change the classification of meth 
following their recent annual meeting. Mackintosh said he'd also like to 
see Ottawa make possession of equipment and ingredients to make meth a 
criminal code offence and wants the production of the toxic waste which 
comes from producing meth to become an aggravating factor in court cases.
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MAP posted-by: Beth