Pubdate: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 Source: Burnaby Newsleader (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Burnaby Newsleader Contact: http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1315 Author: Jeff Nagel Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) OTTAWA CRANKS UP SENTENCES FOR METH Producers and traffickers of crystal meth will face stiffer penalties as high as life in prison, the federal government announced Thursday. Methamphetamine will join drugs like cocaine and heroin covered under Ottawa's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. That moves the maximum penalty for production, trafficking, possession and importing or exporting of meth from a present 10 years to life in prison. The change is expected to put an end to the much lighter penalties typically handed out to producers, traffickers and importers and others involved in the illegal drug's supply network. "There are significant health, social and economic harms caused by methamphetamine, not only for users, but for communities as well," Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh said Thursday. Saying the move will help protect victims' rights, he said the law must reflect the impact on victims and families. The most serious cases will be dealt with by a team of designated special prosecutors, Attorney-General Irwin Cotler said, adding they'll be armed with special tools to convey to the court the damage meth causes. The measures come in the wake of amendments proposed by Ottawa earlier this year to place four substances used to make methamphetamine on a list of controlled "precursor chemicals" - possession of which becomes an offence drawing a fine of up to $5,000 and up to three years imprisonment. Crystal meth is easily produced in small clandestine labs, often in kitchens and bathrooms, by blending pseudoephedrine with a series of other chemicals and ingredients. Sometimes known as "the poor man's cocaine", the synthetic drug is cheap to make -a $150 investment can yield $10,000 worth of meth. But meth labs are notoriously dangerous, often causing hazardous chemical fires. Meth addicts are also among the most difficult to treat. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin