Pubdate: Wed, 06 Sep 2006
Source: Journal Argus (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Journal Argus
Contact:  http://www.stmarys.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2197
Author: Andrea Macko
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH TASK FORCE TALKS MORE POWER FOR MUNICIPALITIES

After a two-month hiatus due to summer vacation schedules, the Perth County 
Crystal Meth task force met August 17, with a focus on new legislation that 
could provide recourse for property owners and municipalities dealing with 
the remains of meth labs.

Perth Middlesex MPP John Wilkinson, Crown Attorney Denis Harrison and 
Federal Crown Prosecutor John Sipos were on hand to discuss Bill 128, which 
amends various acts in respect to enforcement powers, penalties and 
forfeited properties in regard to organized crime, marijuana grow-ops and 
other unlawful activities.

The bill, which was passed in December 2005 but was proclaimed at the start 
of August, doubles maximum penalties under building and fire codes, as well 
as permitting the profits from the sale of seized assets to go toward crime 
prevention efforts.

Wilkinson explained that Bill 128 could be used for crystal meth labs as it 
says "'marijuana growing and other activities,' -- the act deals 
specifically with marijuana grow-ups, but there is some space." Harrison 
challenged this however, by saying that "there is no sophistication to meth 
labs...there aren't really assets to seize." Harrison also referred to the 
portability of meth labs. "As for stopping criminal activity, I don't think 
that it (the legislation) will help."

The new law does, however, expand the powers that municipalities have in 
dealing with former meth lab and grow-op properties. After completing their 
investigation of a property, police must now tell the municipality that it 
was a lab or grow-op, and the municipality must inspect the property for 
fire, electricity and building code infractions.

The cleanup for an active lab falls to Health Canada, but there was debate 
over who is responsible, both physically and financially, for the cleanup 
of inactive labs. Stratford mayor and Task Force co-chair Dan Mathieson 
suggested that the cleanup costs be added to property taxes, and clauses 
put in place to limit the sale of the property until it is paid off. "The 
municipality can't get stuck with the cost," he reinforced, noting that 
property owners do have civil remedies in this situation.

Medical officer of health and Task Force co-chair Rosana Pellizzari 
commented that "We have to find a solution to this...so that these hazards 
can get resolved -- we don't have the solution today."

The Task Force was encouraged to hear, however, that the public is becoming 
aware of these types of issues, as the Perth District Health Unit's Health 
Line has received calls about buying a house which was once a grow-op. As 
well, the Task Force is working with local real estate agents to figure out 
a practical way to keep track of properties that have been affected by drug 
production.

Other issues

The Task Force is still working on a resolution to present to the 
Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). Ed Hollinger, mayor of 
North Perth, said that they missed the Association's annual conference (as 
it was held August 13 to 16), but they can instead send it to Perth County, 
Stratford and St. Marys Councils for ratifying when they resume their 
regular schedules in September, then pass on to the AMO for adoption.

The resolution requests the Province to support the Task Force's concerns 
on training and equipment for first responders, community education, 
stronger penalties and police enforcement and treatment for users. The AMO 
is comprised of 400 of 445 municipalities in Ontario.

The Provincial Task Force, of which Pellizzari is a member, is still 
finalizing their report, according to John Wilkinson. He explained that the 
report was initially intended for the Minister of Community Safety and 
Correctional Services, but that in reality, "an entire governmental 
response is needed," including ministries such as Health and Long-Term Care 
and Children and Youth. The report is expected to be completed in late 
September, and then get cabinet approval.

The last major point of interest at the meeting were the results from a 
recent Health Unit telephone survey of 598 adults in the county. A full 
two-thirds of respondents believed that crystal meth was the most-abused 
drug in the county, while only 12 per cent thought "other" substances -- 
which includes tobacco. "It shows the awareness and alarm that's in the 
community," said Pellizzari. "It reinforces the perception that crystal 
meth is out there," to the point that over one-third of respondents 
believed they would recognize someone who was high on the drug.

The next county Task Force meeting is scheduled for September 21.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D