Pubdate: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 Source: Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN) Copyright: 2005 Prince Albert Daily Herald Contact: http://www.paherald.sk.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1918 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) REVISED DRUG LAWS NEEDED Focus has been growing in recent weeks on the need to reclassify methamphetamines as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Right now, meth is considered a less serious Schedule 3 drug than Schedule 1 drugs such as cocaine and marijuana. Is this off base? Yes. Should the law be changed by Parliament? Absolutely. But is changing the act is going to do anything to help communities ravaged by the effects of crystal meth? Not really. Calling for housekeeping in the Controlled Substances Act on this issue is like vacuuming the carpet in a house where the roof is caving in. Police forces need the resources to find -- and safely deal with -- the labs creating the drugs. Spaces need to open up in rehab centres so addicts who get arrested can get the help they need sooner rather than later. The incredibly strong grip created by meth means that in-patient treatment is often necessary. Unfortunately, what is needed to tackle methamphetamines will be expensive. It is easier for politicians to take a stand on the legal issues surrounding this issue than find the money to actually attack the problem on the street. Sentencing under Schedule 3 still allows for 10-year sentences, which is considered significant jail time on a drug charge. It is enough, in most cases, for prosecutors to work with until the laws change. The City of Prince Albert has two resolutions going to the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association convention. One calls for the change in classification of methamphetamines in the Controlled Substances Act. The other calls for an action plan in the province to crack down on the trafficking of the substance. Together, these two resolutions create the right approach. Changes to sentencing laws mean nothing if there are no resources to bring offenders before the courts. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D