Pubdate: Tue, 05 Jul 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: Tom Brewer FEDERAL POLITICIANS OBLIVIOUS TO CRYSTAL METH I'm appalled! A major problem is creeping across Canada affecting young Canadians! What are we doing about the problem? Seems to me not much . . . our laws, I understand, really don't cover crystal meth in the way other drugs are covered. The Criminal Code is put in place by our federal legislators. I have serious questions to ask: how come, given all that is taking place, and has taken place over the past few months, that crystal meth problems end up at the bottom of the page if, in fact, they are on the page at all! I would assume our MPs are caring people. But I find it hard to understand something: if they care about you and I, then why are they not taking more direct action on an immense, growing problem? How can it be that our politicians are more interested in taking down a government over budget issues than in addressing problems that affect all of us? Crystal meth leaves a trail of destruction in its path. The destruction is human in nature, the costs involved horrendous. It would seem this means nothing, not only to the pusher, but to those who worry about where the money will come from to take care of the sick or to incarcerate pushers. Who should worry? Our MPs, I suggest! This problem is one needing direction from our federal government. Are we getting that direction? The answer, in my mind, is no! If politicians from all parties did the decent thing, got off their backsides and did what should be done, then we could address the problem before it gets worse. No, seems they would rather tussle over who's better and who looks better before the cameras! I applaud our provincial government for at least starting to take action. It has been a long time coming and while I don't agree with Saskatchewan Party MLA June Draude's politics, I commend her for what she's been doing for years. She at least has the intestinal fortitude to speak out not once, but many, many times on the problems we have to come to terms with now. I thank her for her tenacity, as it seems others just wish the problem would disappear -- and it won't. I stand aghast, however, where it involves the government of Canada. The government of Canada includes all MPs. All MPs need to forget their political party leanings and come to terms with this menace. We need to show solidarity in addressing the problem. We need to put in place not just a plan, but action to ensure the laws of Canada solidly address the pusher and put them where they belong. We need to address the chemical situation, the fact anyone can purchase basic chemicals to render what we see ravaging our population. We need to address the person who is now addicted and needs help. We need -- and the "we" includes everyone, no matter what their politics are -- to take immediate and decisive action on a problem that presently eats into the very fabric of our nation: insidious chemicals causing horrendous crime and social problems. We look to our politicians to do the right thing and do it now. We need to look in a mirror as well. We might have a son or daughter, a grandson or grand-daughter affected. We shake our head, not knowing what to do. We need to join together to beat the problem that takes our children from us. One need not be directly affected in order to get involved. We do, however, need a plan in which Canadians can put their faith, a plan to take back our streets, our cities and towns. We don't need bullying pushers treating us as second-class citizens. If any bullying needs to be done, then it's time to bully those who sell the drug in order to get them out of our community permanently. Tom Brewer Regina - --- MAP posted-by: Beth