Pubdate: Tue, 08 Nov 2005
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Mike Chouinard, Staff reporter

ATTACK ON METH GETS NEW AMMO

John Les is taking some extra caution to fight crystal meth 
production before it gets a foothold in the province.

The Chilliwack-Sumas MLA and solicitor general announced a new plan 
last week to tackle the production of meth by cutting off its supply lines.

The drug can be manufactured from a number of legally obtainable 
products, such as iodine, red phosphorus from matchbooks, starter 
fluid, drain cleaner and paint thinner. One of the essential 
components though is pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, an ingredient 
found in over-the-counter cough, cold and allergy medicines.

The new provincial plan aims to build on the Meth Watch program, 
which encourages retailers and pharmacists that sell medications with 
pseudoephedrine or ephedrine to be on the lookout for unusual 
purchases, specifically extraordinary bulk purchases that could be 
used to manufacture mass quantities of the street drug.

"We're asking the pharmacists and the retailers of the province to be 
on the lookout," Les said.

The new program is actually a three-level strategy, with the first 
being simply further encouragement among retailers to be aware of any 
potential problems. A second phase would see the retail sales of 
medications limited to licensed pharmacies if there is any link to 
the production of crystal meth. A third phase would make the 
medications available by prescription only, if the problem persists.

"I hope it doesn't come to that," Les said. "We will do it if we have to."

Les considers the move a preemptive strike to make sure the supply of 
material is cut off at least at the retail level, although presently 
in B.C. the materials for meth labs tend to come from bulk sources. 
In contrast, in the U.S. and other parts of the country, there has 
been more of a problem with meth ingredients coming from the retail 
supplies, according to Les.

"B.C. is quite different. Police tell us there's little evidence of that."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman