Pubdate: Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Krisendra Bisetty, CanWest News Service
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

B.C. TAKES AIM AT CRYSTAL METH

Legislators Eye Controls On Over-The-Counter Cold Medicines

VANCOUVER -- B.C. is considering introducing legislation similar to that 
enacted in several American states that puts a freeze on the bulk purchase 
of over-the-counter cold medicines containing ingredients used to make 
methamphetamines.

Oklahoma, which began forcing pharmacists a year ago to put these 
medications behind the counter and limit quantities they sell, as well as 
having customers show photo identification and sign for them, credits the 
law for a dramatic drop in the number of meth laboratories.

Alberta is considering a similar measure and B.C. Solicitor-General Rich 
Coleman said Thursday the possibility exists for such legislation here, 
although he believes the newly introduced Meth Watch program is a good way 
of getting pharmacists and retailers to monitor and report the purchase of 
products used to make methamphetamine, a highly addictive stimulant also 
known as crystal meth or speed.

The drug is a growing threat in Canada, particularly in B.C. and Alberta 
and a major problem in the U.S., where legislators in at least six states 
have taken steps to remove medications such as Sudafed and Actifed, and 
their key ingredient, pseudoephedrine, from within easy reach of consumers 
who use them for reasons other than alleviating runny noses and coughs.

The Meth Watch program is modelled on one started in Kansas.

Coleman said the province is in the early stages of looking at how either 
legislation or regulation can be used to limit access.

"We are looking at it," he said in an interview, adding that while his 
staff has been in discussion with the B.C. Pharmacy Association, there have 
been no representations from the B.C. Chiefs of Police, of which the RCMP 
is a part.

Coleman said he has asked staff to look at U.S. legislation. "We are 
looking at jurisdictions around the world on particular initiatives and 
legislation. That's how we build better laws."

Canadian federal regulations, enacted in 2003, require only that companies 
that manufacture, import, export or distribute precursor chemicals be licensed.

Coleman said the pharmacy association, while co-operative, is against 
having the cold medications stored behind the counter, citing space and 
dispensary concerns as reasons.

The association's deputy chief executive officer, Ken Foreman, won't 
comment on the U.S. laws or what he would like to see being done in B.C. 
but said the B.C. Pharmacy Association has indicated to the provincial 
government that it is willing to participate in any policy formation.

"I think they need to very carefully look at the situation and analyse 
where in fact the ingredients are coming from. Are they coming from 
non-prescription items in pharmacies, or diverted from chemical supply 
companies? There are a number of questions that remain unanswered," he said.

While the RCMP says small-scale meth laboratories are not common in B.C., 
Mark Woodward, spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous 
Drugs Control, said in an interview Thursday that getting the ingredients 
out of easy reach will help prevent them.

Two months after the state introduced tougher legislation in April of 2004, 
the number of meth lab seizures dropped by 71 per cent, he said.

"It's been a tremendous deterrent."
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MAP posted-by: Beth