OTTAWA, ON – Fredericton Police Chief Barry MacKnight, [Vice-President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and Chair of the CACP Drug Abuse Committee] joined the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament Shelly Glover to announce that MDPV will be regulated as a Schedule 1 Drug under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act following a fast-track process.
“In recent months there has been an increasing awareness of this harmful drug, commonly known as “bath salts” which is becoming growingly available in many communities, in particular Eastern Canada” stated Chief MacKnight. “This drug, along with the behaviours associated to it, is a serious concern for the police and many others in our communities.”
Chief MacKnight continues: “Swift action in scheduling MDVP in the Controlled Drug and Substances Act is an important step from both an enforcement and education perspective. This is sending a strong message to Canadians, and especially young Canadians, that this drug is extremely harmful while also allowing enforcement agencies to deal with those who victimize some of the most vulnerable people in our communities – the young and those who suffer from addiction.”
The CACP supports a balanced approach to the issue of substance abuse in Canada consisting of prevention, education, enforcement, counselling, treatment, rehabilitation, and where appropriate, alternative measures and diversion to counter Canada’s drug problem.
“Today’s announcement is an important part of that balance and I, on behalf of the CACP, would like to commend the federal government for their quick response in recognizing the extreme dangers of the “bath salts.”
A Health Canada News Release can be found at:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/_2012/2012-93-eng.php. Further information on “Bath Salts” has been published by the June 5, 2012 Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse: CCSA-CCENDU-Drug-Alert-Bath-Salts-2012-en.pdf
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) was established in 1905 and represents approximately 1,000 police leaders from across Canada. The Association is dedicated to the support and promotion of efficient law enforcement and to the protection and security of the people of Canada. Through its member police chiefs and other senior police executives, the CACP represents in excess of 90% of the police community in Canada which include federal, First Nations, provincial, regional and municipal, transportation and military police leaders.
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For further information, please contact:
Timothy M. Smith,
Government Relations & Strategic Communications
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police
Tel.: 613-601-0692
Email: timsmith2000@rogers.com