Reform at the Federal Level
Liquor Control Inspections
Police Initiatives
Clandestine Lab Suppression
Public Information on Drug Labs
Developing a Unified "Take Down" Protocol
Agriculture Initiatives and Education
On August 11th, 2005, the federal government increased the maximum penalties for possession, trafficking, importation and production of meth to parallel other hard drugs like heroin and cocaine (from maximum 10 years to maximum life imprisonment for trafficking and production). The federal government has also announced that the most serious cases of meth production will be dealt with by a specialized team of prosecutors.
Manitoba has supported minimum sentences for offences involving large quantities of meth and/or links to organized crime. Manitoba also worked with its Western counterparts to urge the federal government to create a new offence for possession of precursors for the purpose of meth production.
On December 14, 2005 the federal government made changes to the Precursor Control Regulations and amended Schedule VI to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The changes included:
- Adding a requirement for a license to possess a precursor for the purpose of producing a controlled substance;
- Strengthening the ability of the Minister to inspect an applicant or a licensed dealer, including: inspection of a site to be used to produce, package, sell a “class A” precursor; examine security measures to be used or in place; examine internal controls with respect to precursors; examine books etc.; and
- Revoking a license if the Minister has reasonable and probable grounds to believe any information provided is false or misleading.
Police Initatives
Since 2005, the government of Manitoba has provided funding to increase the amount of police officers across the province by 90 officers. The government also increased fine penalties under the Highway Traffic Act to allow the City of Winnipeg to sustainably fund additional officers assigned to the Street Crimes Unit.
The government has increased the Public Safety Investigative Unit by three investigators and one surveillance video analyst since 2006 to enforce the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act and the Fortified Buildings Act. These additional resources will help with the enforcement of illegal drug violations.
Clandestine Lab Suppression
Restricting the Sale of Pseudoephedrine Products
Health representatives from the western provinces agree that a phased-in approach to restricting access to precursors in the illicit manufacture of crystal meth, such as single ingredient pseudoephedrine products, was required.
Manitoba agreed to implement the phased approach, recommended by health representatives across the west. This will become particularly important once access to bulk product is restricted and meth producers are forced to rely more extensively on cold medications as the source of their primary ingredient.
The phased approach was initiated by first restricting single ingredient pseudoephedrine products to sale in pharmacies and behind the counter, and limiting quantities to 3600mg/purchase. The Government later restricted the sale of multi ingredient pseudoephedrine products to also being sold only from a pharmacy.
Public Information on Drug Labs
The RCMP has developed information to help Manitobans identify meth labs and suspicious activities, and has made this information available on their website located at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mb/index_e.htm. This information will help people become more aware of crystal meth.
The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, proclaimed in 2002, allows government to shut down properties that engage in disruptive activities. The government of Manitoba has amended the Act to assist in targeting problem properties where production of crystal meth is believed to be taking place. The Public Safety Investigations Unit, responsible for enforcement of this act, is also being increased in size. Together these initiatives will empower communities to work with the province and shut down properties where meth is produced.
Forums have been organized throughout the province to inform the public about the dangers of crystal meth, including how to detect labs.
Developing a Unified “Take Down” Protocol
The Unified take-Down Protocol involving nine federal, provincial and municipal agencies has been developed to ensure police have ready access to other departments and agencies to assist them in dealing with dangerous illegal drug labs.
Provincial funding was provided to enable the Winnipeg Police Service to purchase protective equipment for their “Clan Lab Team” allowing officers to safely investigate dangerous clandestine drug labs including those that produce crystal meth.
Agricultural Initiatives and Education
Anhydrous ammonia, an agricultural fertilizer, can be used in conjunction with the primary ingredients (ephedrine or pseudoephedrine) to create crystal meth. The Prescribed Spraying Equipment and Controlled Products Regulation has been amended to require those who legally have anhydrous ammonia stored on their property to immediately report any missing inventory. Manitoba Agriculture, Food, and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) staff has worked with the industry association to develop an education campaign for fertilizer distributors about the illegal use of anhydrous ammonia in meth production.
An education campaign to educate farmers and other rural residents about safeguarding tanks of anhydrous ammonia has also been developed.
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 was circulated throughout rural communities as an insert in the Farmers Independent Weekly and is now available at all GO Centres and GO Offices.
