Pubdate: Sat, 12 Feb 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: Karen Brownlee BATTERS SAYS FEDS NEED TO BATTLE CRYSTAL METH BY RECLASSIFYING IT Saskatchewan is leading the fight against crystal meth, but it needs the federal government to do its part to prevent this drug's spread, says Dave Batters, Conservative Party MP for Palliser. Crystal meth should be reclassified as a schedule 1 drug in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, said Batters. "If it's classified as schedule 1, then the penalties that judges can impose are on par with those that they impose for those found guilty of trafficking in cocaine and heroine. It unties the hands of our judges," said Batters in an interview. Batters questioned federal justice minister Irwin Cotler about this in the House of Commons on Thursday after sending Cotler a letter last month. "This is a simple amendment. He just has to bring a bill forward and amend this Controlled Drugs and Substances Act." The sentencing hearing of a Regina man convicted of trafficking crystal meth inspired Batters. Provincial court judge Linton Smith postponed Terry J. Nameth's sentencing last December to hear more evidence on the danger of crystal meth compared to cocaine and heroine after the Crown and the defense differed in opinion. In the end, Smith made no finding on the dangerousness of the drug when he sentenced Nameth to three years last month. Smith said that decision had already been made by parliament. Currently, crystal meth and other methamphetamines are considered schedule 3 drugs. Marijuana is listed as schedule 2. The maximum sentence for schedule 1 and 2 drugs -- such as cocaine, heroin and marijuana -- is life in prison for possession and trafficking. Schedule 3 drugs have a maximum of a 10 year sentence. Batters said Cotler told him that a working committee is looking into reclassifying crystal meth after the issue was raised at the January meeting of the federal, provincial and territorial justice ministers. The committee will present its findings in June, a wait Batters said is too long. "How many people are going to get hooked on crystal meth between now and June? If there are some really stiff penalties imposed, that could help save some people." Saskatchewan's justice minister Frank Quennell raised the reclassification issue with Cotler at the justice ministers' meeting and in a letter. He has also requested federal regulations be changed to track the ingredients used to make crystal meth. Saskatchewan Justice officials are reviewing federal drug legislation to identify amendments needed to do that, reports the province's crystal meth strategy released earlier this week. The strategy also mentions Quennell's desire to have crystal meth reclassified. Quennell is just one of many in Saskatchewan fighting crystal meth, said Batters. He has spoken to Saskatchewan Party members June Draude and Brenda Bakken as well as the chiefs of police in Regina and Moose Jaw about the issue. He points out SUMA's interest in tackling crystal meth as well. "They all recognize this is a threat this has to be addressed. A year ago, this wasn't on the radar screen. Now, it's a huge problem that we want to nip in the bud," said Batters. "We're all on the same page here. We in Saskatchewan are leading the fight." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth