YORKTON -- As jury deliberations in the first-degree murder trial of Kim Walker ended after a second day with still no verdict, the brother of victim James Hayward expressed disgust and sadness that Walker has been celebrated in some corners and his brother has been demonized. The trial has attracted national attention as the defence has portrayed Walker as a father desperate to rescue his daughter from a drug addiction when he went to Hayward's home and shot and killed him in front of his daughter Jadah at his home on March 17, 2003. [continues 622 words]
Judge Says Walker Guilty; Jury Must Pick Crime YORKTON -- The jury charged with deciding the fate of a Yorkton man charged with first-degree murder broke off deliberations after nine hours Wednesday without a verdict. Kim Walker, who could face life in prison for shooting and killing his daughter's drug dealer boyfriend, said his family was "blessed" whatever the jury's verdict because she is alive. But the grieving mother of James Hayward, who was 24 when he was shot to death by Walker nearly four years ago, said Walker had robbed her of her son. [continues 1047 words]
Convicting Yorkton Man Of Murder Would Send Wrong Message, Defence Says YORKTON -- Kim Walker rescued his daughter from a drug addict's death on the day he shot and killed her boyfriend, defence lawyer Morris Bodnar said Tuesday as lawyers presented their final arguments to the jury in Walker's first-degree murder trial. Bodnar argued Walker, 50, who testified Monday he does not remember the shooting, never intended to kill Yorkton drug dealer James Hayward. While he took a pistol for protection, the only reason Walker went to Hayward's house on March 17, 2003, was to get back his 16-year-old daughter, Jadah, whose health had deteriorated significantly after becoming an addict while living with Hayward, said Bodnar. [continues 622 words]
Dad Accused Of ShootingYorkton Man Multiple Times In Alleged Drug House YORKTON -- The long-awaited first-degree murder trial of a Yorkton man accused killing the man his daughter lived with finally began Tuesday in Court of Queen's Bench. The father, 50, is accused of entering what a police officer acknowledged was a known drug house and shooting to death 24-year-old James Hayward in front of his daughter on March 17, 2003. In his opening statement, Crown prosecutor Daryl Bode said he would call witnesses to the stand who would testify about the father's actions that day, including how he came Hayward's Yorkton home, produced a gun and shot Hayward multiple times, including once in the back. [continues 408 words]
Marijuana Decriminalization Endorsement At Convention Won'T Affect Policy: Quennell REGINA -- The provincial NDP's endorsement of a resolution backing decriminalization of marijuana laws at last weekend's party convention in Saskatoon drew both praise and scorn on Monday. But NDP Justice Minister Frank Quennell says the resolution will have no effect on actions by the provincial government. The resolution, which was supported by party members, calls for the provincial NDP to support the federal party's call for a "non-punitive approach to cannabis law, including all penalties for personal cultivation and possession by adults, and actively work to institute non-punitive cannabis policies at the provincial level." Quennell said he's not sure what the resolution means, since drug laws and drug prosecutions are both federal responsibilities. [continues 506 words]
Premier Lorne Calvert's government faced a challenge from its own party to get a lot more green. Delegates to the NDP convention gave nearly unanimous approval to a resolution calling for the government to set targets for greenhouse gas reductions for the next five, 10 and 15 years. It also called for the government to work to reduce fossil fuel consumption and to invest heavily in renewable energy sources and energy conservation. "I think we all have a sense that climate change is going to be one of our greatest challenges in the new century," said Saskatoon Greystone MLA Peter Prebble in an impassioned speech to delegates. [continues 481 words]
The leaders of the province's two biggest political parties are feeling pretty mellow about the new Saskatchewan Marijuana Party. The Marijuana Party was registered as an official provincial party this week by Elections Saskatchewan, enabling them to field candidates under the party name, raise and spend money and issue tax receipts for donations. But NDP Premier Lorne Calvert and Saskatchewan Party Opposition Leader Brad Wall weren't concerned Friday that the party would cause much of a buzz among Saskatchewan voters. [continues 143 words]
REGINA -- The leaders of the province's two biggest political parties are feeling pretty mellow about the new Saskatchewan Marijuana Party. The Marijuana party was registered as an official provincial party this week by Elections Saskatchewan, enabling it to field candidates under the party name, raise and spend money and issue tax receipts for donations. But NDP Premier Lorne Calvert and Saskatchewan Party Opposition Leader Brad Wall weren't concerned Friday that the party would cause much of a buzz among Saskatchewan voters. [continues 137 words]
REGINA -- The proverbial "smoke-filled rooms" where political deals are cut may take on a whole new meaning in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Marijuana Party has become an officially registered provincial political party with Elections Saskatchewan. Like other marijuana parties in the country, it is expected to advocate the legalization of possession and cultivation of cannabis. But Saskatchewan Marijuana Party leaders aren't talking right now. Party president Ethan Erkiletian said the party won't make an official statement until June 20. [continues 264 words]
The proverbial "smoke-filled rooms" where political deals are cut may take on a whole new meaning in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Marijuana Party has joined six other parties as an officially registered provincial political party with Elections Saskatchewan. Like other marijuana parties in the country, it is expected to advocate the legalization of possession and cultivation of cannabis. But Saskatchewan Marijuana Party leaders aren't talking right now. Party president Ethan Erkiletian said the party won't make an official statement until June 20. [continues 263 words]
REGINA -- The province's Children's Advocate issued a scathing report Tuesday on a new law that allows drugaddicted children to be involuntarily locked up for detoxification, saying "parental rights and children's rights are being violated." Marvin Bernstein, who as Children's Advocate serves as an independent offi - cer of the legislative assembly, said his concerns have been ignored throughout the process that led to the Youth Drug Detoxification and Stabilization Act coming into effect on April 1. Presented by the government as a "last resort," five of six applications have already been successful under the act since then. [continues 564 words]
The province's children's advocate issued a scathing report Tuesday on a new law that allows drug-addicted children to be involuntarily locked up for detoxification, saying "parental rights and children's rights are being violated." Marvin Bernstein, who as children's advocate serves as an independent officer of the legislative assembly, said his concerns have been ignored throughout the process that led to the Youth Drug Detoxification and Stabilization Act, which comes into effect on April 1. Presented by the government as a "last resort," five of six applications have already been successful under the act since then. [continues 685 words]
A provincial law aimed at helping communities shut down drug houses and brothels is working properly and won't be changed, said Justice Minister Frank Quennell a day after a Court of Queen's Bench judge rejected the province's request to evict a Regina family in the first court case under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act. Justice Janet McMurtry ruled there was little evidence that showed that the teenagers who live in the home, which is owned by two sisters, were smoking and selling marijuana, as alleged by government investigators. [continues 227 words]
Court Rejects Bid To Evict Family From Suspected Drug Hangout YORKTON -- A provincial law aimed at helping communities shut down drug houses and brothels is working properly and won't be changed, Justice Minister Frank Quennell said Tuesday. He made the comment a day after a Court of Queen's Bench judge rejected the province's request to evict a Regina family in the first court case under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act. Justice Janet McMurtry ruled there was little evidence that showed the teenagers who live in the home, which is owned by two sisters, were smoking and selling marijuana, as alleged by government investigators. [continues 227 words]
The provincial government wants to give police more powers to deal with drivers impaired by drugs. On Tuesday, the NDP government introduced amendments to the Traffic Safety Act which establish an immediate 24-hour licence suspension for drivers who fail a standard field sobriety test (SFST). That's a battery of roadside tests that police use to check for impairment by making drivers walk and turn or stand on one leg and by checking for involuntary eye movement. "This is a way to get at impaired drivers who are obviously under the influence of drugs," said Maynard Sonntag, the Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance, in an interview Tuesday. [continues 184 words]
REGINA -- The provincial government wants to give police more powers to deal with drivers impaired by drugs. On Tuesday, the NDP government introduced amendments to the Traffic Safety Act which establish an immediate 24-hour licence suspension for drivers who fail a standard field sobriety test (SFST). That's a battery of roadside tests that see police check for impairment by making drivers walk and turn or stand on one leg and by checking for involuntary eye movement. "This is a way to get at impaired drivers who are obviously under the influence of drugs," said Maynard Sonntag, the minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance, in an interview Tuesday. [continues 183 words]
Getting the western provinces and territories to agree on a plan to restrict the sale of cold medicine containing the ingredients used to make crystal meth hasn't been as easy as planned, the province's new minister responsible for addiction services acknowledged Tuesday. In June, Western Canadian politicians at Premier Lorne Calvert's conference agreed to come up with a plan by Oct. 1 to put restrictions on the sale of medicines containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in the highly addictive drug. [continues 284 words]
REGINA -- Getting the western provinces and territories to agree on a plan to restrict the sale of cold medicine containing the ingredients used to make crystal meth hasn't been as easy as planned, the province's new minister responsible for addiction services acknowledged Tuesday. In June, western Canadian politicians at Premier Lorne Calvert's conference agreed to come up with a plan by Oct. 1 to put restrictions on the sale of medicines containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in the highly addictive drug. [continues 581 words]
REGINA -- A planned western Canadian clinical conference on crystal meth abuse has expanded to become a national meeting that will be hosted by Saskatchewan, provincial and territorial leaders announced Friday. The fight against the highly addictive and dangerous drug was at the top of Premier Lorne Calvert's agenda going in to the Council of the Federation meeting in Banff. The clinical conference was one of a series of announcements about crystal meth coming from the Alberta meeting. Calvert was obviously pleased when he spoke to reporters in a conference call after the premiers' meeting wrapped up in the afternoon. [continues 305 words]
A planned Western Canadian clinical conference on crystal meth abuse has expanded to become a national meeting that will be hosted by Saskatchewan, provincial and territorial leaders announced Friday. The fight against the highly addictive and dangerous drug was at the top of Premier Lorne Calvert's agenda going in to the Council of the Federation meeting in Banff. With the clinical conference one of a series of announcements about crystal meth, Calvert was obviously pleased when he spoke to reporters in a conference call after the premiers' meeting wrapped up in the afternoon. [continues 310 words]
REGINA -- The Saskatchewan Party says the provincial government must put new resources into the fight against crystal meth, as the NDP prepares for the imminent release of reports on substance abuse and the province's finances. Graham Addley, appointed as legislative secretary to Premier Lorne Calvert to study alcohol and drug abuse issues, will present his report to the premier this week. Its findings, and the government's response, will likely be made public shortly thereafter. By the end of July the government will also release its first-quarter financial statement, which is expected to show as much as $80 million extra in government coffers because of high oil royalties. [continues 409 words]
REGINA -- The fight against crystal meth abuse has led western provinces and territories to a planned crackdown on the sale of cold medicine that contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in crystal meth. At a two-day meeting on crystal meth, western ministers and government officials agreed to come up with a plan by Oct. 1 to put restrictions on the sale of the cold medicine. They also agreed to hold a Western Canada clinical conference to discuss best practices in prevention and treatment. And they called on the federal government to toughen the laws around crystal meth and put tighter controls on the chemicals that go into the drug with the medicinal ingredients. [continues 372 words]
REGINA -- North Dakota's attorney general says he doesn't want Canada to be swamped by the "tidal wave" of crystal meth abuse that has hit his state. And his message hit home with the western Canadian politicians and officials attending the special meeting of western and northern leaders, which convened Friday in Regina to deal with the crystal meth issue. Since the highly addictive drug first appeared in North Dakota in 1995, the number of meth labs stopped by police rose to a high of 297 in 2003. [continues 496 words]
REGINA -- The fight against crystal meth abuse has led western provinces and territories to a planned crackdown on the sale of cold medicine that contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in crystal meth. At a two-day meeting on crystal meth, western ministers and government officials agreed to come up with a plan by Oct. 1 to put restrictions on the sale of the cold medicine. They also agreed to hold a Western Canada clinical conference to discuss best practices in prevention and treatment. And they called on the federal government to toughen the laws around crystal meth and put tighter controls on the chemicals that go into the drug. [continues 178 words]
Cold Pills Sale To Be Restricted REGINA, Sask. - The fight against crystal meth abuse has lead western provinces and territories to a planned crackdown on the sale of cold medicine which contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in the illegal drug. At a two-day meeting on crystal meth, western ministers and government officials agreed to come up with a plan by Oct. 1 to put restrictions on the sale of the cold medicine. They also agreed to hold a Western Canada clinical conference to discuss best practices in prevention and treatment. And they called on the federal government to toughen the laws around crystal meth and put tighter controls on the chemicals which go into the drug with the medicinal ingredients. [continues 313 words]
The fight against crystal meth abuse has led western provinces and territories to a planned crackdown on the sale of cold medicine that contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in crystal meth. At a two-day meeting on crystal meth, western ministers and government officials agreed to come up with a plan by Oct. 1 to put restrictions on the sale of the cold medicine. They also agreed to hold a Western Canada clinical conference to discuss best practices in prevention and treatment. And they called on the federal government to toughen the laws around crystal meth and put tighter controls on the chemicals that go into the drug with the medicinal ingredients. [continues 282 words]
REGINA -- The fight against crystal meth abuse has led the western provinces and territories to crack down on the sale of cold medicines that contain ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in the highly addictive drug. The "one of a kind" meeting of western ministers and government officials on crystal meth ended Friday with an agreement to come up with a plan by Oct. 1 to put restrictions on the sale of the medicines. Participants also agreed to hold a western Canadian clinical conference to discuss the best practices in prevention and treatment. [continues 765 words]
Premier To Be Host Of June Meeting Not only did Premier Lorne Calvert get his wish for an intergovernmental conference on crystal methamphetamine, he will also get to host the event. At their meeting in Lloydminster, Western premiers have agreed that their Health, Justice and Public Safety ministers will meet in June in Regina to develop strategies on education, prevention, treatment and policing for the highly addictive and dangerous drug. In a telephone interview, Calvert said the meeting is an opportunity to pool resources and deal with a problem that crosses borders. [continues 155 words]
REGINA -- The Saskatchewan Party had some prominent support Friday as it continued its efforts to get a bill passed that would help families force their drug-addicted children into treatment facilities. Mary Anne Jablonski, the Alberta Progressive Conservative MLA who spearheaded the Alberta legislation that the Opposition's bill is modeled after, was at the provincial legislature. Jablonski said she's backing the efforts of the Saskatchewan Party because the bill empowers parents in the face of a growing problem with drug addiction. [continues 349 words]
The Saskatchewan Party had some prominent support Friday as it continued its efforts to get a bill passed that would help families force drug-addicted children into treatment facilities. Mary Anne Jablonski, the Alberta Progressive Conservative MLA who spearheaded the Alberta legislation that the Opposition's bill is modelled after, was at the provincial legislature. Jablonski said she's backing the efforts of the Saskatchewan Party because the bill empowers parents in the face of a growing problem with drug addiction. [continues 614 words]
Calvert to host conference on drug problem REGINA -- Not only did Premier Lorne Calvert get his wish for an intergovernmental conference on crystal methamphetamine, he will also host the event. At their meeting in Lloydminster, western premiers agreed that their health, justice and public safety ministers will meet in June in Regina to develop strategies on education, prevention, treatment and policing for the highly addictive and dangerous drug. In a telephone interview Thursday, Calvert said the meeting is an opportunity to pool resources and deal with a problem that crosses borders. [continues 370 words]
Being a politician can be a demanding job but Saskatchewan Party MLA Ted Merriman says there are much bigger burdens to carry. The stress from trying to help people dealing with drug addiction in their families has led him to seek professional help and kept him away from the legislature for most of its spring sitting, Merriman said in an interview this week. Since December, when he and his family came forward to talk about the crystal meth addiction of his daughter Kelly, Merriman has become the public face for a problem facing many families. [continues 314 words]
MLA Overwhelmed Helping People Deal With Drug Addictions REGINA -- Being a politician can be a demanding job, but Saskatchewan Party MLA Ted Merriman says there are much bigger burdens to carry. The stress from trying to help people dealing with drug addiction in their families has led him to seek professional help and kept him away from the legislature for most of its spring sitting, Merriman said in an interview this week. Since December, when he and his family came forward to talk about the crystal meth addiction of his daughter Kelly, Merriman has become the public face for a problem facing many families. [continues 398 words]
After months of growing pressure from the Opposition, First Nations and municipalities, the NDP government released its strategy on combatting crystal methamphetamine Wednesday. But the Saskatchewan Party, which has been pushing the government to do more on crystal meth since last spring's legislative session, said there is little new in the 30-page document. Health Minister John Nilson acknowledged the strategy mostly represents a summary of actions already being taken by the government in response to public demand. "As we've done the summation, we've also figured out there are some areas where we need to provide more services," he told reporters at the provincial legislature. [continues 366 words]
REGINA -- After months of growing pressure from the Opposition, First Nations and municipalities, the NDP government released its strategy for combating crystal methamphetamine on Wednesday. But the Saskatchewan Party, which has been pushing the government to do more on crystal meth since last spring's legislative session, said there is little new in the 30-page document. Health Minister John Nilson acknowledged the strategy mostly represents a summary of actions already being taken by the government in response to public demand. [continues 397 words]
REGINA -- Saskatchewan wants the federal government to take a harder line on crystal meth. Justice Minister Frank Quennell said Thursday the provincial government has for some time been calling on the federal government to make changes to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that would include moving crystal meth from its current status as a Schedule 3 drug. Making it a Schedule 1 or 2 drug would allow a maximum sentence of life in prison for possession and trafficking while Schedule 3 drugs only allow a 10-year maximum sentence. [continues 285 words]
Saskatchewan wants the federal government to take a harder line on crystal meth. Justice Minister Frank Quennell said Thursday the provincial government has for some time been calling on the federal government to make changes to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that would include moving crystal meth from its current status as a Schedule 3 drug. Making it a Schedule 1 or 2 drug would allow a maximum sentence of life in prison for possession and trafficking while Schedule 3 drugs only allow a 10-year maximum sentence. [continues 315 words]
The NDP government has no plans to implement a specific strategy dealing with crystal methamphetamine. Learning Minister Andrew Thomson brushed off a demand by the Saskatchewan Party on Wednesday that the government follow the lead of Alberta and B.C. in developing an interdepartmental provincial strategy to combat the highly-addictive drug. "Our approach remains the same. Obviously we're concerned about crystal meth and other designer drugs but we're also concerned about the wide range of intoxicants that youth are involving themselves with," he told reporters at the legislature. [continues 242 words]
The NDP government has no plans to implement a specific strategy dealing with crystal methamphetamine. Learning Minister Andrew Thomson brushed off a demand by the Saskatchewan Party on Wednesday that the government follow the lead of Alberta and British Columbia in developing an interdepartmental provincial strategy to combat the highly addictive drug. "Our approach remains the same. Obviously we're concerned about crystal meth and other designer drugs but we're also concerned about the wide range of intoxicants that youth are involving themselves with," he told reporters at the legislature. [continues 323 words]
REGINA -- As police deal with a growing problem of crystal methamphetamine use in the province, the biggest need may be for a team to clean up highly dangerous drug labs if they spread to rural Saskatchewan. Sgt. Jerome Engele, in charge of operations for the Saskatoon Police Service/RCMP integrated drug unit, said there are 11 police officers in the province trained to respond to the labs. While large city fire departments have hazardous material units that can help with the take-down and decontamination of the labs, there's a concern over the availability of training and equipment in rural areas, he said. [continues 530 words]
Cocaine has fueled a spate of recent robberies in Regina, the board of police commissioners heard Wednesday. Crime statistics show 40 cases of robbery in February of 2003, compared to 23 in the same period last year. There were 75 cases in the first two months of 2003, compared to 61 in that time last year. Deputy police chief Clive Weighill said that increase is attributable to an increasing use of cocaine by city drug users instead of Talwin and Ritalin. [continues 317 words]
First there was smoke, then there was fire. The recommendation from a Senate committee that Canada legalize marijuana brought a furious, and disheartening, reaction. Whether legalizing pot is the best step for the country is uncertain. What was disappointing was the rejoinder from many quarters that the suggestion itself was outrageous and showed the inherent corruption of the Senate. Now, the Canadian Senate is a deeply flawed institution for a number of reasons. But if anything, this is exactly what it should be doing -- fostering public debate with a freedom that is not available to MPs shackled by party discipline and electoral considerations. [continues 238 words]
The needle-exchange program that sparked controversy and discussion has been up and running for about two weeks with few problems and few clients, says one of its main organizers. "We haven't been real busy. It's been slow at the start. I think some people are waiting for the controversy to slow down a bit," Richard Gregory, president of the HIV/AIDS Network of Southern Alberta, said Thursday. The HIV/AIDS Network is running the program Thursday afternoons and evenings out of its office at 550c Allowance Ave. S.E. in the Flats. Boylan Pharmacies in the city are also distributing the needle kits, information and disposal program, said Gregory. [continues 103 words]
Edmonton - An Edmonton family demonstrated outside the Edmonton Catholic school board's annual staff liturgy at the Winspear Centre Thursday to protest what they say is pressure by their son's school to put him on the controversial drug Ritalin. Jocelyn and Glen Best, seven of their nine children and some family friends held up signs in the lobby that outlined the side effects of the drug, which can include nervousness, insomnia, dizziness, headaches and nausea, before being asked to leave. [continues 482 words]
It isn't! There currently exists--and will exist until January 1, 1998--a comprehensive intiative, I-197, that seeks to legalize marijuana for medicinal, industrial, and adult personal use. No hidden clauses, no mixed messages. Kimble James Greenwood [end]
