Pubdate: Wed, 27 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: Dave Batters
Note: Batters is Conservative MP for Palliser.

LIBERALS MUM ON CRYSTAL METH

I write regarding Tom Brewer's letter, "Federal politicians oblivious to 
crystal meth" in the July 4 edition of the Leader-Post.

As a federal MP who has fought for months to have crystal meth reclassified 
as a dangerous drug, I share Brewer's frustration with the federal Liberal 
government's reluctance to toughen penalties for trafficking crystal meth.

On three separate occasions during Question Period in the House of Commons, 
I have pressed the minister of Justice to take action to reclassify crystal 
meth as a Schedule 1 drug. Currently, judges are limited in the sentences 
they can impose on offenders because the government has classified crystal 
meth as a less-serious, Schedule 3 drug under the Controlled Drugs and 
Substances Act, instead of a Schedule 1 drug like heroin or cocaine.

However, toughening penalties for criminals doesn't appear to be a priority 
for the Liberals. In February, federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, 
promised to respond to this issue by June. June has now come and gone, and 
the Liberal government has still failed to act. Now, it says this matter 
will be studied until the fall.

Like Brewer, I, too, believe politicians of all stripes need to work 
together to solve the growing meth crisis. As I told the Justice Minister 
in Question Period, "the only Canadians who would not support reclassifying 
crystal meth are crystal meth traffickers."

To ensure the safety of families and communities affected by the spread of 
this deadly and highly addictive drug, I have taken steps to put forward a 
bill to have crystal meth reclassified as a dangerous drug.

In addition, the Conservative Party's crystal meth caucus, of which I am a 
member, will continue to press the government to undertake a comprehensive 
strategy to combat crystal meth.

Last month, I asked to attend a western Justice and Health ministers 
conference held in Regina on crystal meth. Unfortunately, Premier Lorne 
Calvert did not allow my attendance. This was odd, given that many of the 
changes that were called for at this meeting can only be achieved in 
Ottawa. Clearly, partisan politics should not play a role in this issue.

I will continue to work with members of the provincial NDP government, the 
opposition Saskatchewan Party, Mayor Pat Fiacco, law enforcement officers, 
community leaders and parents to press the federal Liberal government to 
protect our children, and rid our cities of crystal meth.

Dave Batters

Batters is Conservative MP for Palliser.

Regina 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth