Pubdate: Mon, 15 Aug 2005
Source: North Thompson Star/Journal (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The North Thompson Star/Journal
Contact:  http://www.starjournal.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1231
Author: June Webb
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

BAD CELEBRATES METH VICTORY

Barriere Against Drugs (BAD) is celebrating the Government of Canada's 
recent announcement to increase maximum penalties for methamphetamine, also 
known as chrystal meth, or meth.

Founding member, Trina Hobson could barely contain her excitement, "This is 
a huge step towards fighting the epidemic. Hopefully it will open doors to 
addressing other issues, such as lack of beds for addicts in the province."

In a press release, issued Thursday August 11, 2005, Health Minister Ujjal 
Dosanjh, Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada Irwin Cotler, and 
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency 
Preparedness Anne McLellan declared methamphetamine (meth) has been moved 
to Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, in the same 
category as cocaine.

Prior to the announcement, possession, trafficking, importation, 
exportation and production of the drug carried a maximum penalty of 10 
years, this has been increased to life in prison. "It is not only a matter 
of law enforcement but a matter of the protection of human rights, in 
particular, the rights of victims. The law must therefore not only reflect 
the seriousness of the offense but its impact on families and communities," 
said Minister Cotler.

Impacting communities is one of the driving forces behind BAD, a 
grass-roots level organization formed because this pervasive drug, as 
highly addictive as it is cheap began circulating amongst Barriere's youth.

Convinced the Fifth Estate's recent profile of Barriere; its plight and 
fight against meth helped bring national awareness to the severity of the 
problem, BAD views the announcement as a necessary and crucial development. 
As a result of the airing of the Fifth Estate program, BAD member Mary Ann 
Canaday is now working with staff from MLA offices in Surrey and Maple 
Ridge who approached her to assist with meth awareness.

"If you're an alcoholic, they've got you squared away," says Canaday, "Meth 
addicts are faced with four to five day waits to access Phoenix Centre, 
there is no detox on demand. By then youth have either run away or changed 
their minds."
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MAP posted-by: Beth