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Meth liability crystal clear

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Meth liability crystal clear

The Toronto Globe and Mail recently reported that a Saskatchewan woman won a precedent-setting lawsuit against an acquaintance who allegedly sold her a dose of crystal methamphetamine that nearly killed her.

According to the paper, 23-year-old Sandy Bergen said that Clinton Davey had sold her the crystal meth in Biggar, Saskatchewan, in 2004. Ms. Bergen claimed that Mr. Davey sold her the drug even though he knew of its highly addictive and harmful nature, and did so not only to turn a buck but to intentionally cause her suffering as well.

Ms. Bergen also sought Mr. Davey's unknown supplier and when Mr. Davey refused to identify his connection, thus giving rise to a threatened contempt of court charge, Mr. Davey dropped his defense. That, for all practical purposes, amounted to an admission of liability.

How large an award Mr. Davey will have to pay will be determined by another hearing, but Ms. Bergen is seeking more than $50,000, according to court documents.

"It's a precedent-setting lawsuit and I'm really happy," Ms. Bergen said, according to the paper. "Now drug dealers can be held liable in that they could lose all their assets and all the money they make from selling drugs."

And as a result, at least one Canadian plaintiff could potentially end up with quite a stash of cash from using drugs.