Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 19/05) - Ottawa unveiled stiffer jail sentences for methamphetamine producers, dealers and users in an attempt to contain a country-wide explosion of the cheap and highly addictive drugs last week.

The noxious thing about meth amphetamine - aside from its highly-addictive nature - is that it is reputed to be easy to make. Household items such as ammonia, cough syrup, paint thinner and iodine are just a few of the chemicals needed.

Political leaders, including provincial and territorial premiers meeting in Alberta, welcomed the move - the latest step in a highly public battle against meth.

One expert wondered, though, whether the harsher penalties would actually deter addicts and keep the drug from exploding in the Northwest Territories.

"This is a knee-jerk reaction to a serious situation," said Byrne Richards, an addictions counsellor at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre in Yellowknife."The government is acknowledging and responding to the problem. Is that the answer? It's hard to tell exactly."

Federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler announced last Thursday methamphetamines - whose street names include speed, krank and crystal meth - have been lumped into the same category as cocaine and heroin under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The maximum penalty for producing and trafficking the drug jumped from 10 years to life in prison, while possession can lead to seven years behind bars.

Premier Joe Handley welcomed the decision, which comes while methamphetamines make inroads into the capital. Police acknowledged last week the drug is available on Yellowknife streets, though its use does not appear to be widespread.

"While they are not a major problem here... we need to move forward aggressively on this," Handley said Friday, following meetings with his provincial and territorial counterparts.

Richards said the stiffer penalties could dissuade some users and traffickers but will probably have little impact on most addicts.

"The draw of meth is much stronger than crack. It creates a physical addiction, which is something cocaine does not do," Richards said. "I think most addicts are not going to notice the changes."

Coming to Yellowknife

Police believe meth-epidemics in cities like Grande Prairie and High Level - where arrests for the drug have skyrocketed during the last five years - could be advance warning for Yellowknife.

"We can see how it has taken hold in Northern Alberta," said RCMP Const. Erik Irani, who works with the drug awareness section. "It is just a matter of time before it comes here."

While Richards has treated people for meth addiction, he cautioned against dire predictions and said the media is often guilty of sensationalizing the meth problem.

"There is no guarantee meth will come here," Richards said.

"But there is also no guarantee it will not."

Meth's rebirth

Methamphetamines have been around for decades but are experiencing a rebirth in recent years because of their low price, long highs and easy availability.

They are a combination of common household chemicals ranging from cough syrup to paint thinner. Recipes are available online, though some internet providers are cracking down on the postings.

Meth can be produced almost anywhere - including a bathtub - using basic equipment like burners and measuring cups - a factor that has spawned nests of commercial meth labs across the country. (Irani said police do not believe there are labs in Yellowknife).

During their meetings in Alberta, the premiers discusses placing restrictions on some of the chemicals used to produce meth and Handley said a concrete list could be in place this fall.

"We will do whatever we have to," he said.

Last year, the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons recommended pharmacists move cold medications containing ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine - stimulants used in meth production - behind the counter.

Pharmacies in the Northwest Territories followed the voluntary direction, which was aimed at small-scale meth labs. Cough medicine is a relatively expensive source of ephedrine and not cost-effective for larger outfits.

Solutions

Meanwhile the police have launched a public awareness campaign, which includes discussing the issue everyone from school children to the media, Irani said. Ultimately, Richards believes the best way to combat meth is to offer counselling and housing for recovering addicts.

"We need to support the people who want to quit. We are working diligently to address the issue," he said.

"We are more prepared than other communities have been."