MLA WANTS TOUGHER LEGISLATION BEFORE CRYSTAL METH ARRIVES

'It's A Question Of When'

CRIME - A highly addictive synthetic drug that's devastated parts of
western Canada could be spreading toward Nova Scotia.

And that's prompting calls to be ready to fend off the arrival of crystal meth.

NDP justice critic Kevin Deveaux said yesterday he will introduce two
pieces of legislation this spring calling for tougher controls on the
ingredients used in the manufacture of crystal methamphetamine.

Deveaux said he wants Justice Minister Michael Baker to adopt the
plan before crystal meth use, or clandestine meth labs, becomes a problem.

"This is like a speeding train we can see on the tracks in the
distance," said Deveaux. "Why wait for it to come here before we have
a serious plan to deal with it."

The NDP plan would restrict access to cold remedies that contain
pseudoephedrine, and require chemical companies and agricultural
suppliers to report missing quantities of anhydrous ammonia, two of
the ingredients in the manufacture of crystal meth.

Deveaux also wants a task force formed to investigate what other
provinces are doing to combat crystal-meth use and the rise of meth labs.

RCMP Cpl. Gord Vail said the Mounties would be interested in
participating in studying the meth problem.

New drug unit

Vail leads the newly formed Atlantic Region Drug Precursor/Synthetic
Drug Operations Unit. The unit was started last summer on the theory
that crystal meth will eventually spread into the Maritimes.

So far, it hasn't turned up in great quantities.

"But crack cocaine didn't start here either, and it's now a major
problem," said Vail. "There's no reason to believe it (crystal meth)
won't get here."

Meth is attractive to drug dealers because it's cheap, easy to make
and is sold at a high profit, making it attractive to organized
crime. The drug can be made in mobile, clandestine labs in motel
rooms, apartments or even the back of automobiles.

Meth is sold in tablet form, or in coarse to fine powder. It can also
appear in crystalline chunks, and its smokable form is sometimes
called ice or glass. The drug has shown up in Nova Scotia, but it's
been usually sold as ecstasy, another synthetic "club drug."

No meth labs have been busted in the province.

The Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists has a voluntary program called
Meth Watch encouraging druggists to report any unusually large
purchases of over the counter cold medication.

Vail said he's glad politicians seem to be taking notice of the issue.

"It's not a question of if anymore," he said. "It's a question of when."