WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department says Canada should do more to curb the production and trade in ecstasy and other illicit drugs.
The 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, released Friday, highlights the growth of methamphetamine "superlabs" throughout the country, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario.
The report says Canada has become the No. 1 source of ecstasy south of the border.
"Canada's continued role as a source country for ecstasy to U.S. markets highlights the need for greater co-operation in tracking precursor chemical activity," it says.
"The U.S. urges Canada to take stronger action to curb the rise of methamphetamine production. The upsurge in Canadian methamphetamine production has raised the prospect of increased smuggling from Canada to international markets."
The report cites Canadian data indicating Canadian-produced meth has turned up around the world, including Australia, Japan and New Zealand.
The State Department also cast a critical eye on harm-reduction programs across Canada, such as a controversial supervised injection site in Vancouver.
It pointed to a 2007 report of the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which said a Vancouver Island "safe crack kit" program violated the UN Drug Convention.
"Canada should implement the INCB's recommendations to eliminate drug injection sites and drug paraphernalia distribution programs because they violate international drug treaties."
The report also quoted Canadian officials as saying Prime Minister Stephen Harper wanted to increase penalties for drug production and trafficking, but not for drug use.
