Pubdate: Mon, 15 Aug 2005
Source: Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005Lower Mainland Publishing Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thenownews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1340
Author: Jennifer Saltman, Staff Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

LIFE SENTENCES AHEAD FOR MAKING, SELLING METH

Anyone who thinks they can make, sell, import, export or possess
methamphetamine with few or no consequences will have to think again,
after the federal government announced increased maximum jail
sentences for meth offences.

The cheap and easily made drug will be included in Schedule 1 of the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, along with cocaine and heroin.

Now, instead of 10 years, the maximum penalty for production and
distribution of meth is life in prison. Simple possession sentences
will be increased to seven years, from the current three.

"There are significant health, social and economic harms caused by
methamphetamine, not only for users, but for communities as well,"
said Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh in a news release. "As part of the
government of Canada's continuing work on Canada's Drug Strategy, we
have taken action to bring the penalties for methamphetamine offences
in line with those substances that pose a comparable level of risk to
health and safety, such as cocaine."

Earlier this year, Health Canada also proposed amendments to add four
substances used in meth production to the list of controlled chemicals
under the Precursor Control Regulations.

These chemicals will be classified as "Class A" precursors, which have
a licence and permit requirement for import and export, as well as a
licence requirement for production and distribution.

The illegal possession of these "precursor chemicals," for the
purposes of producing a controlled substance such as meth, would
become an offence resulting in either a fine of up to $5,000, or up to
three years imprisonment or both.

The changes could mean tougher sentences for those convicted of
producing meth in clandestine labs, like the one uncovered on
Shaughnessy Street in Port Coquitlam in March.

Two men are facing charges in connection to the lab, where police
found and seized 24 pounds (10.8 kilograms) of finished ecstasy.

The Port Coquitlam pair is charged with production of a controlled
substance. One of the men was the homeowner.

A report has been forwarded to Crown counsel and charges have gone
ahead, but the case hasn't gone to court yet.

Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission MP Randy Kamp, who chaired a
Conservative Parliamentary Task Force on Crystal Meth, said the
Liberals are following the Opposition's lead in making the changes.

"Conservative MPs have been asking the Liberals to take this matter
seriously for over a year," Kamp said. "We have been demanding action
from this government to combat crystal meth and we're glad that they
are finally starting to take the matter seriously."

He added that mandatory minimum sentences should be imposed next,
"rather than slap-on-the-wrist sentences."

The RCMP haven't had a chance to take a good look at the legislation
yet, but say at first glance the changes appear positive.

"Obviously we're pleased with any level of government that will bring
forth legislation that's going to make our communities a safer place,"
said Coquitlam RCMP Const. Dave Babineau.

Port Moody Police Const. Phil Reid said anything to discourage people
who make meth, which is "horrible and debilitating," is a good thing.

"It doesn't change the way of doing business because there always was
a sentencing.

"From what I understand there's going to be stronger sentencing and
certainly we welcome that ... but it will be business as usual," he
said.
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MAP posted-by: Derek