Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jul 2016
Source: Guardian, The (CN PI)
Copyright: 2016 The Guardian, Charlottetown Guardian Group Incorporated
Contact:  http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/174
Author: Jim Day
Page: A1

VETERAN SUPPORT

Marijuana For Trauma wellness centre opens in Charlottetown

Veteran Jim Grant of Brackley credits a medical marijuana support
service with giving him a fresh, energetic new lease on life.

The 78-year-old Grant failed to access medical marijuana until he
turned to Marijuana For Trauma (MFT) in New Brunswick for assistance.

The company helped guide him through the hoops and hurdles to get on
the federal medical marijuana program.

The positive impact was immediate and major when Grant started using
the drug three months ago to help address the PTSD he links to "a
number of tragic events'' during his lengthy career with the Canadian
navy.

Sleep apnea - a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder - had
hounded him for years.

He rarely managed to stay asleep for more than 90 minutes before
waking to horrific flashbacks. Today, thanks to the calming and
soothing impact of medical marijuana consumption, Grant enjoys five to
six hours straight of solid sleep, injecting him with newfound
strength and energy.

He has been able to resume playing with great zeal his beloved sport
of golf.

"Without sounding overly melodramatic - and I say this to everybody -
these people (at MFT) have given me back whatever life the good Lord
has left for me,'' says Grant.

Two veterans who were victims of PTSD established MFT in
2013.

Medical marijuana, notes MFT national business manager Jean-Guy
Bourguignon, was instrumental in stabilizing their condition, enabling
them to effectively engage in counselling and other therapies.

"Having experienced firsthand the hurdles to accessing medical
marijuana, they refused to continue watching fellow veterans descend
into the nightmare of depression, anxiety, dependencies, divorce and
even suicide,'' Bourguignon said Wednesday as the 10th MFT wellness
centre - and first on P.E.I. - was opened in the Kirkwood Mews in
Charlottetown.

MFT, stressed Bourguignon, does not dispense marijuana.

Instead, he noted, the company facilitates and supports safe and
responsible patient access to medically prescribed cannabis by
providing access to knowledgeable physicians, navigating the medical
and pension benefits maze and linking clients with appropriate
licensed producers of medicalgrade marijuana.

MFT also offers specialized support programs, peer networks and
wellness programs, with particular expertise in the needs of veterans,
police and first responders.

Bourguignon says many have reached out to MFT on behalf of veterans
who have been reduced to "glossy-eyed zombies'' due to PTSD.

"Wives call us, children call us, (saying) 'please, come help my
father: he's been in the basement for three months,''' he said.

"MFT's vision,'' he added, "is to ultimately incorporate allied health
services, including psychologists, social workers, oxygen therapy,
RMTs and others. The result will be an integrated approach, ensuring
that we are indeed the gold standard for PTSD treatment.''
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MAP posted-by: Matt