FRANCAIS

November 01, 2005

Healthy Living Minister Theresa Oswald and Attorney General Gord Mackintosh today announced $6 million in funding over three years for a comprehensive two-pronged approach to restrict supply and reduce demand for crystal meth in Manitoba.

"We want to make sure all Manitobans have the information they need to make educated and healthy choices. We believe this strategy will help prevent the increased use of this dangerous drug," said Oswald. "By working together to restrict supply through stronger enforcement and reducing demand through public education and training of service providers, we can help prevent the widespread use of this destructive drug in Manitoba."

"We have seen the destructive force of crystal meth on communities and families, especially in other jurisdictions," said Mackintosh. "We’re committed to continue our work with partners in Manitoba, across Canada and internationally to take preventative steps and deal with this growing problem."

The Manitoba Meth Strategy includes:

• joining Saskatchewan in restricting the sale of 17 single-source pseudoephedrine products, the preferred ingredient in making meth, to make them available for sale only behind the counter in pharmacies and limiting quantities to 3,600 mg per purchase,

• increasing investments in mental-health and addictions programs and providing enhanced training to front-line workers to deal with crystal meth, other addictions and mental-health issues,

• establishing the Manitoba Meth Task Force comprising government, law enforcement and addictions agencies and led by Manitoba Healthy Living and Justice,

• developing a public education campaign to increase awareness of the dangers of meth use,

• formalizing and enhancing a unified takedown protocol for meth labs,

• requiring theft of anhydrous ammonia to be reported, and

• continuing strong partnerships with jurisdictions across Western Canada to develop a phased-in approach to restricting the sale of pseudoephedrine products.

The Manitoba Meth Strategy builds on recent initiatives to combat meth and other drugs including:

• providing funding for 54 new police-officer positions to be created throughout Manitoba,

• developing Canada’s most comprehensive drug-impaired driving initiative,

• continuing enhanced Manitoba Liquor Control Commission monitoring,

• providing first-responder training about crystal meth and meth labs, and

• developing prevention and education programs provided by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba at 60 high schools.

Background information on the Manitoba Meth Strategy is available on the Internet at http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/meth.html.

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Pseudoephedrine                                                                    Pumpuii Canada Inc.

PMS-pseudoephedrine HCL SYR 6mg/ml                             Pharmascience

PMS-pseudoephedrine HCL tab 60mg                                  Pharmascience

Drixoral ND long-acting tab                                                   Schering Canada Inc.

Benylin D for Infants                                                              Pfizer Canada Inc.

Sudafed Decongestant Children's Chewable Tablet                Pfizer Canada Inc.

Sudafed Decongestant Extra Strength Tablet                          Pfizer Canada Inc.

Nondrowsy Regular Strength Contac Cold 12 hour               GSK

Sudafed Decongestant 12-hour caplet                                   Pfizer Canada Inc

Decon N S                                                                           Jaapharm Canada Inc.

Pseudofrin Tab 60mg                                                            Labratories Trianon Inc.

Eltor 120 - sustained release caplet                                       Aventis Pharma Inc.

Nasal + Sinus Decongestant Relief - Tab 60mg                     Vita Health Products Inc.

Congest Aid Tab 30 mg                                                        Zee Medical Inc.

Triaminic Pediatric Oral Cold Drops - 7.5mg/0.8ml               Novartis

Tantafed Tab 60mg                                                              Tanta Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Pseudofrin Sirop 6mg/ml                                                       Labratories Trianon Inc.