|
Deveaux Calls for NS to Follow Manitoba's Example on Crystal Meth Laws |
|
|
|
Written by NDP News Release
|
|
Monday, 16 January 2006 |
NDP Justice Critic Kevin Deveaux is calling on Justice Minister Michael Baker to support two NDP crystal meth control bills to be introduced in the Spring session of the Legislature. Both NDP bills, modeled on the current legislation in the three prairie provinces, will control the use of crystal methamphetamine by restricting access to source ingredients.
"In Manitoba as of today it's going to be harder to produce crystal meth," says Deveaux. "As of today law enforcement agencies in that province will have the legal tools they need to keep this terrible drug from easy manufacture, off the streets, and away from kids. It troubles me as a legislator and as the NDP justice critic to know that the youth of Manitoba are potentially safer from this drug than they are here in Nova Scotia, because they have the laws and we don't."
Deveaux says that he was shocked to learn that such a highly dangerous drug could be manufactured from such common products as Benylin for Infants, Sudafed Decongestant and Triaminic Pediatric Oral Cough Drops, as well as from agricultural fertilizers. He says that the wide and unrestricted availability of such products in Nova Scotia can
be expected to accelerate the use of the drug. Under the legislation in force in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and now today in Manitoba, over the counter medication containing single-source pseudephedrine can be purchased only behind-the-counter and in restricted quantities, and farmers must report theft of fertilizers containing anhydrous ammonia.
"Good legislation restricts crystal meth production," says Deveaux. "When the NDP brings this legislation forward in the spring we expect all party support."
More information on Manitoba's comprehensive meth strategy can be found at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/meth.html
and:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/press/top/2005/11/2005-11-01-01.html |
