Legislative Electronic Publications -- Producers Alerted to Use of Anhydrous Ammonia in Meth Production: Wowchuk

Manitoba Government News Release:
Information Services, Room 29, Legislative Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0V8 Telephone: (204)
945-3746 Fax: (204) 945-3988

December 21, 2005

PRODUCERS ALERTED TO USE OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA IN METH PRODUCTION: WOWCHUK

Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced today her department is working with producers to educate them on how anhydrous ammonia can be used for the production of crystal meth if it falls in the wrong hands.

“We want to work with our producers to ensure anhydrous ammonia fertilizer is used for its intended purposes,” the minister said. “Restricting the supply of key ingredients to inhibit the production of crystal meth is just one step we can all take to reduce its availability.”

The province has prepared a brochure titled Safeguard Your Supply of Anhydrous Ammonia that describes how to keep supplies of anhydrous ammonia safe, how to recognize theft and how to report any theft. It also points out the dangers related to crystal meth. The brochure is being circulated throughout rural communities as an insert in the Farmers Independent Weekly and is available at all GO Centres and GO Offices.

The Prescribed Spraying Equipment and Controlled Products Regulation has also been amended to require those who legally have anhydrous ammonia stored on their property to immediately report any missing inventory to police.

“This regulation is being amended to strongly encourage co-operation between farmers, agri-retailers, law enforcement officials and other members of the public to protect the well-being of all Manitobans and stop this chemical from being used to produce a highly addictive, dangerous drug,” said Wowchuk.

The education campaign and regulation change is the latest in a series of actions already taken by the province as part of its comprehensive strategy, released Nov. 1, to reduce the supply and restrict the demand of crystal meth. They include:

the restriction of single-source pseudoephedrine, the preferred ingredient in the manufacturing of crystal meth, to behind the counter in Manitoba pharmacies as of Jan. 15;
a public education campaign alerting Manitobans to the devastating impact of crystal meth; and
the investment of more than $6 million over the next three years in new mental health and addictions services providing additional capacity and front-line supports to help deal with mental health and addictions in Manitoba including the use of meth.

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