Around 40 parents and youth attended a recent community street drug trends presentation at Fox Run School. Organized by the Sylvan Lake RCMP the presentation aimed to equip parents with skills to allow recognition of street drugs and theparaphernalia associated with drug use. Sylvan Lake RCMP School Resource Officer,Constable Michael Lee in partnership with Constable Kevin Lintott of the Organized Crime and Intelligence Unit out of the RCMP's Red Deer City Detachment provided information to parents on various street drugs including cocaine, heroine, marijuana,methamphetamine and MDMA. In addition, the officers also touched on the impact fentanyl is having in North America and Central Alberta. [continues 420 words]
Province's drug problem taking serious toll on already over-stressed workforce Incessant overdose calls and multiple drug deaths during shifts are taking a serious toll on the mental health of B.C. paramedics, according to their union. Bob Parkinson, director of health and wellness for the Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of B.C., said even before the current fentanyl-related overdose crisis, paramedics were feeling strained while responding daily to life-and-death situations. "We're already an over-stressed workforce with little or no support and we are seeing more and more effects of this," he said. [continues 564 words]
Last week the Trudeau government announced that it will be banning asbestos in Canada. Asbestos kills over 400 Canadians every year. It is commendable that the government would do that after recognizing the dangers of asbestos. But it is rather ironic that during that same period of time 4,200 Canadians died from alcohol-related deaths, 39,000 Canadians died from tobacco-associated illnesses and during the same period, 100,000 unborn children's lives were terminated and the government has no plans to ban anything regarding those deaths. All of the above would have been preventable. In a decade from now I suspect we will have results of how many people will have needlessly died as a result of the Trudeau government decriminalizing marijuana. Richard Friesen Lethbridge [end]
Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate the best way to tackle the illicit drug crisis. Vancouver is facing epidemic proportions of people overdosing on illegal drugs and many deaths. Safe injections sites are not making a significant difference. They're calling for more detox and addictions treatment programs but even that is not the answer. The majority of males in emergency departments because of an overdose are young people without a history of prescription opioid use, Dr. Nick Mitchell, senior medical director, addictions and mental health, Alberta Health Services (AHS), recently told the News. [continues 469 words]
Re: How Canada's legalization of marijuana could change its relations with the U.S. (Dec. 20) Donald Trump is the least of Prime Minister Trudeau's worries. Three international UN drug conventions represent the legal basis of global drug prohibition, restricting nation-states from taking alternative approaches, including moving to the legalization of marijuana products for a domestic market. The prime minister cannot pick and choose what international laws he wishes to uphold. Not only will the new Trump administration in the United States question Trudeau's enthusiasm for risky public-health policy, but Canada will find itself offside of 190 countries that have supported evidence-based drug policy for decades. Canada has the highest rate of use by youth in the industrialized world and is the last country that should be experimenting with dangerous drug policies. Pamela McColl Vancouver [end]
Dear Editor: The time has come for Canadians to stand up and deal with street drugs in a different way. No matter how much money, time and heartache goes into trying to cope with the current plague of overdoses, there will never be an end to it. When a drug dealer/manufacturer is caught, the repercussions do not fit the crime. A slap on the wrist, confiscation of property, fines or even short prison terms do not stop these entitled criminals. [continues 152 words]
Police are testing new devices to identify drug-impaired drivers. Whether or not the impending legalization of recreational marijuana use will have an impact on drug-impaired driving remains to be seen. However, the timing of a pilot project to detect drug impairment could give police new resources as legislation legalizing recreational cannabis is introduced in Parliament this spring. The pilot project is being tested by OPP, including Perth County, Toronto, Vancouver, Gatineau, Halifax, and Yellowknife police forces, as well as North Battleford RCMP. [continues 499 words]
Re: "'Prince of Pot' defiant after arrest in Montreal" (Montreal Gazette, Dec. 19) I am dumbfounded that even my brightest friends call Marc and Jodie Emery's move to open six marijuana dispensaries and get arrested a brash move. It's really just a well-crafted publicity stunt - cheap advertising. But there's something much less talked about: How will we protect our kids in a legalized marijuana environment? Fact: 90 per cent of adult addicts started off by smoking marijuana before the age of 18. [continues 90 words]
Two doses of naloxone saved a six-month-old puppy from an overdose after it ingested drugs in Mount Douglas Park. Veterinarian Helen Rae said Chico was brought to the McKenzie Veterinary Hospital on Friday evening after her owners noticed she was wobbly and appeared to be under the influence of drugs. The owners knew the puppy had eaten something while on leash in the Saanich park but didn't know what. Rae noticed the dog, a pug cross, couldn't walk straight, seemed sedated and had constricted pupils. [continues 204 words]
A medical marijuana dispensary owner has been charged following a police raid of the business. Vice and drug officers - armed with a search warrant - arrived at the Royal Farmacy on Main Street East at Kenilworth Avenue around 1 p.m. Tuesday, where they seized $20,000 worth of marijuana and marijuana products, including edibles. Owner Shane Hansen wasn't in at the time, but he got a call from his wife and came down right away. "They left all my other staff alone, which was good. I came down. They didn't handcuff me. Honestly, the cops get a really get bad rap, but they were as respectful and cordial and polite as they could be." [continues 320 words]
VANCOUVER - Their position on marijuana is hardly the only difference between Canada's prime minister and the president-elect of the United States. But when Justin Trudeau's government introduces legislation to legalize cannabis this spring, it could spark problems between Canada and the U.S., particularly since Donald Trump has indicated he will keep pot illegal at the federal level. Here's a look at what could change in Canada-U.S. relations once Canadians start lighting up legally. [continues 838 words]
Dear Editor: Omnipotence R us? To start with, we need to see what the meaning of omnipotence is. Quote from a legal source dictionary: "The quality of having unlimited or very great power." There are several other synonyms that can be used in place of omnipotence. Some of these are: "all-powerfulness, almightiness, supremacy, pre-eminence, supreme power, absolute power, unlimited power; invincibility." Where am going with this, you might ask? Somehow the word and its relatives apply to city council in some of its dealings as of late. [continues 300 words]
Their position on marijuana is hardly the only difference between Canada's Prime Minister and the president-elect of the United States. But when Justin Trudeau's government introduces legislation to legalize cannabis this spring, it could spark problems between Canada and the United States, particularly since Donald Trump has indicated he will keep pot illegal at the federal level. Here's a look at what could change in Canada-U.S. relations once Canadians start lighting up legally. Border control [continues 556 words]
It's been a year of positive highlights punctuated by a few disappointments for Kootenay-Columbia MP Wayne Stetski, who stopped by the Cranbrook Townsman on Tuesday to reflect on the last 12 months. Stetski says helping constituents address and solve problems and concerns is one of the best parts of his job, while being in Parliament - and all the history and gravitas that it represents for Canada's 150th anniversary - is exciting and noteworthy. "Every day is different, every day is interesting," Stetski said. "The best part is learning every day. Learning about Canada, learning internationally about things that are happening around the world and you learn about your riding." [continues 733 words]
Re: Opioid rouletter, Dec. 19 Research has shown that almost all addiction, as well many incidents of depression and anxiety, is trauma-based. Between the ages of 15 and 25, youth begin to react to this trauma through acting out, depression, anxiety, and self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. This behaviour is a dysfunctional attempt to mask their pain from the trauma. They are then further stigmatized by society, which labels them as weak, immoral, or worst of all, criminal. Harm reduction is one pillar, but we need to pay equal, if not more, attention to prevention. Therapy is key for these youth to gain insight and to be empowered to leave dysfunctional behaviours behind. Most youth will end dysfunctional coping strategies when they address the root causes of their personal issues. Abstinence is the ultimate goal. [continues 99 words]
Re: Getting tough with addicts would help them in the end, Letters, Dec. 19 Get tough with addicts - good for you, Fred Stark, for saying what I was about to say. If the cost of institutionalizing these lost souls is a problem, just think of the costs now being incurred. The cost of keeping them in limbo, as they are, is incredible. The costs for welfare, police, ambulance, firemen, hospitals, etc. would well take care of funding for an institution. They can all afford drugs, cigarettes etc. We all know very well where that comes from. Lastly, if one of your family was one of these poor lost souls, wouldn't you want to see a form of intervention taken? And to all the naysayers, I would ask, "So, how's it working for you so far?" Gerry Waddington, Cloverdale [end]
All hands were on deck for Welfare Wednesday, as an opioid crisis continues to sweep the most vulnerable in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Wednesday was the busiest day seen by staff at the Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) since it was set up last week to relieve the pressure on hospital emergency wards, said Dr. Sunil Mangal, who was staffing the MMU late Wednesday. A total of 25 overdose patients were treated, compared to the previous record of 15 in a single day. [continues 529 words]
Sudbury drug strategy applauds move by feds to make its easier to open safe-injection sites Officials with Sudbury's Community Drug Strategy have applauded a by the federal government to make its easier to open safe injection sites, though they aren't sure if such a facility is needed in Sudbury. Health Minister Jane Philpott has announced the Liberal government will adopt a public-health approach to its drug control strategy, while she unveiled proposed new measures that would open the door to more supervised injection sites in Canada. [continues 929 words]
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau moves closer to following through with his campaign promise to legalize recreational cannabis, businesses and individuals are waiting to see the local impact and some feel that legalization would remove stigma surrounding those who also use cannabis for medical reasons. The Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation released its final report to the federal government last week, which will be used to inform legislation to be introduced to parliament this spring. It is too preliminary to abstract a possible implementation timeline beyond that. [continues 407 words]
B.C. Coroners Service says November results part of huge annual increase in fatalities As an unchecked crisis in fentanyl overdoses shows no signs of abating, at least 128 people died in B.C. in November alone, reaching 775 so far this year, according to Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner for the B.C. Coroners Service. In at least 374 of the cases, more than 60 per cent, fentanyl was a contributing factor in the death, Lapointe said Monday. And with labs not yet able to detect carfentanil in human tissue, the role of this even more powerful cousin of fentanyl has yet to be quantified. [continues 452 words]
These life-saving places that promote public health will mostly be in existing centres A woman uses the public bathroom of a Toronto community centre to inject heroin. She figures it's safer than injecting on the street - it's clean and she won't be robbed. And if she overdoses, she hopes someone will find her soon enough to help her. This scenario is a reality for many users, and it's just one of many reasons Toronto is working toward opening the three supervised drug injection services that were approved by Toronto city council in July 2016. [continues 714 words]
Re: "New toxic drugs add to overdose crisis: coroner," Dec. 20. What has been done so far has been ineffective. What is being proposed will not stop this unprecedented amount of dying in any reasonable time frame. Agreement between the RCMP and their Chinese counterparts is unrealistic. The border will always be somewhat porous. Such agreements won't produce quick and lasting results. Adding treatment beds and counselling is long term. Adding to the resources for first responders is playing an expensive, and likely ineffective, game of catch-up. [continues 137 words]
As a crisis in fentanyl overdoses shows no signs of abating, at least 128 people died in B.C. in November alone, reaching 775 so far this year, according to Lisa Lapointe, the chief coroner for the B.C. Coroners Service. In at least 374 of the cases - more than 60 per cent - fentanyl was a contributing factor in the death, Lapointe said Monday. And with labs not yet able to detect carfentanil in human tissue, the role of this even more powerful cousin of fentanyl in the deaths has yet to be quantified. [continues 405 words]
Naloxone has seen a meteoric rise in use in British Columbia as an opioid overdose antidote. As of mid-December more than 755 people had died from overdoses, including 128 in November alone, according to the B.C. Coroners Service. Naloxone, however, has become a first-line response for drug users, first responders and others who witness an overdose. Here is a primer on what naloxone is, what it does and doesn't affect, and how prevalent it is in B.C. [continues 310 words]
Re: "New toxic drugs add to overdose crisis: coroner," Dec. 20. Is everyone involved in the management (or mismanagement) of this problem ignoring the one solution to this problem that has been effect in England for years? It's called prescribed heroin for certified addicts. It has to be cheaper than all the emergency services that are being flung at it. It would certainly save lives. As yet, I haven't seen or heard of anyone in a position to effect change espousing the advantages of such a program. Surely it's worth a look. Doug Oliver Sooke [end]
A report recommends allowing people to possess up to 30 grams of marijuana Squamish marijuana advocates say they are cautiously optimistic about the federal plan to legalize the drug. Last week, the Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation report to the federal government laid out more than 80 recommendations that create a framework for legalizing and regulating marijuana for recreational use. The report recommends sales should be restricted to those 18 and older, with a personal possession limit of 30 grams. [continues 456 words]
The Trudeau government has pledged to legalize marijuana in the spring, but anyone who's been convicted of a pot-related crime won't be off the hook right away. A federal task force on legalization recommended this week to allow storefront and mail-order sales of marijuana to people 18 years old and up, and to not sell it alongside cigarettes or alcohol. But just like the federal Liberals, it said little about how the government should go about pardoning those who've been convicted of possession, trafficking, or production or marijuana, and more, once marijuana is made legal. [continues 701 words]
A company with medical marijuana dispensaries in Vancouver is the latest place in Banff to get marijuana products and paraphernalia. It's unclear, however, if Canna Clinic has any plans to turn its new Bear Street location into Banff's first dispensary once the federal government legalizes recreational marijuana. Selling and processing marijuana for non-medical purposes is currently illegal in Canada, but the federal government wants to legalize marijuana and the task force it appointed to study the issue last week recommended marijuana be allowed to be sold at storefronts. [continues 374 words]
DRIVING to work the other morning, I passed the grow-op up the street from my house. It's about 100 metres from an elementary school and when it vents, it stinks. In fact, the interior of my car still reeked when I arrived at the office 15 minutes after driving through that cloud and it really annoyed me to think the guy who stunk up my car likely has a more lucrative income than I do and probably most of people reading this. [continues 463 words]
Back in January I had a letter in this paper about how Christy Clark's solution to homelessness of opening a temporary shelter was a half-baked non-solution; a Band-aid akin to Red Green fixing every problem with duct tape. Well, I feel the same about her Band-aid solution to drug overdoses: temporary injection sites to use illegal drugs which would get them arrested if they were using the same drugs a mere 20 feet away. This is temporary until when? After the next provincial election? [continues 86 words]
In January I had a letter in this newspaper on how Christy Clark's solution to homelessness by opening a temporary shelter was a half-baked non-solution. Well I feel the same about her Band-Aid solution to drug overdoses and drug caused deaths: temporary injection sites to use illegal drugs which would get them arrested if they were using the same drugs a mere 20 feet away. Temporary until when? After the next provincial election? Attacking the root of the issue by making access to clinical counselors covered by MSP to help addicts overcome their drug addictions is the way to go. [continues 51 words]
I believe that people who own houses in Vancouver, or anywhere in Canada should not pay extra taxes due to a fentanyl crisis. Has the government actually gone door-to-door to ask people/homeowners if it's OK to raise taxes for this crisis? To me it's a way to support the addicts to keep them supplied with this crisis instead of the government actually looking at the real problem. The government is supplying the addicts with clean needles and supplies to keep them going with their addictions and not helping with the problem. They are saying it's OK to do heroin, cocaine and meth by supplying them with the needles and help kits. [continues 65 words]
An orange shipping container converted into a supervised consumption site for injection drug users opens today in the courtyard at Our Place on Pandora Avenue. The hope is that the new temporary and limited service helps to curb the catastrophic number of overdose deaths in Victoria. It is the first supervised consumption service to open at the end of a year of unprecedented deaths, the day after the B.C. Coroners Service announced November overdose deaths were the highest on record for the province. [continues 640 words]
The Canadian government needs to fill more than 200 federal RCMP vacancies in B.C. to help the province deal with its drug overdose crisis, B.C.'s director of police services said Monday. Clayton Pecknold, who co-chairs the province's task force on overdose response, credited the federal government with introducing legislation to ease the way for safe consumption sites and prevent the smuggling of opioids into Canada. "But there's more they can do," he said. "We are still down in the number of RCMP officers that we have doing federal drug enforcement in this province. We'd like to see the federal government act quickly on filling those positions." [continues 429 words]
We need to get at the roots of drug abuse, find out what factors lead people to take illicit drugs, and figure out what support they need to get off drugs and stay clean. We need to get the message out there that drugs are not the solution to problems. We need to step up efforts to apprehend and prosecute manufacturers and distributors of illicit drugs. But first, we need to stop people from dying. And to do that, we must do things that might seem counter-intuitive to many of us, such as providing safe-consumption sites or perhaps free, clean heroin to people who are addicted. We must stop regarding people who are addicted to drugs as criminals or some lower form of life, and see them for who they really are: victims of a terrible illness who need help, not condemnation. [continues 475 words]
B.C.'s overdose crisis appears to be worsening, sparking fears that drugs are becoming increasingly toxic and unpredictable, chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said Monday. More than four people a day died on average in November for a total of 128 deaths, the highest number of illicit drug overdoses for a single month in recent memory. With up to 13 people dying from overdoses in one day last week, the crisis shows no signs of abating. "December is looking like a very bad month," Lapointe said Monday in releasing the latest statistics. [continues 845 words]
Editor: The time has come for Canadians to stand up and deal with street drugs in a different way. No matter how much money, time and heartache goes into trying to cope with the current plague of overdoses, there will never be an end to it. When a drug dealer/manufacturer is caught, the repercussions do not fit the crime. A slap on the wrist, confiscation of property, fines or even short prison terms do not stop these entitled criminals. They are dealing death. They know what they are doing. They plan their actions and they make huge sums of money on the pain and suffering (and possible death) of their customers - not to mention the grief and loss inflicted on the victims families. [continues 192 words]
Twice as many drug overdose deaths in Kelowna so far this year as all of last year, with no end to crisis in sight Drug overdose deaths are increasing rapidly with no end in sight, says Interior Health medical director Dr. Trevor Corneil. In Kelowna, there were 40 overdose deaths from Jan. 1 to Nov. 30, compared to 19 overdose deaths all of last year, according to statistics released by the BC Coroners Service. Across the Okanagan, there were 65 overdose deaths in the same period this year, at a rate of 19.4 deaths per 100,000 people, compared to 42 overdose deaths all of last year, at a rate of 11.6 deaths per 100,000 people. [continues 603 words]
If I may, a thought or two on the column I wrote last week on the fentanyl crisis. My position on this tragic situation, as espoused in that column, can be summarized adequately in these three points: The cry of sobriety is getting more and more lost in the din of harm reduction and it needs a louder voice; harm reduction does have an important role to play in the management of this crisis; the only way to guarantee you, me or anyone will not suffer a fentanyl overdose is to not use drugs that may contain fentanyl. [continues 553 words]
The Municipality of North Cowichan has delivered a lump of coal to two Chemainus dispensaries in the form of a $200 fine. Leaf Compassion Cannabis Dispensary and Green Aura in Chemainus were slapped with tickets last Tuesday by the area's manager of building and compliance for not having a business license. North Cowichan Mayor Jon Lefebure said the dispensary is operating contrary to federal law. "I don't see any grey area, it's very clear. We can't issue a business license for an activity that is illegal," he said. [continues 688 words]
Nanaimo Mayor Bill McKay was hoping to introduce a motion to city council Monday that limits proximity of marijuana dispensaries to minors. McKay planned to direct staff to draft a bylaw prohibiting marijuana dispensaries from being situated within 500 metres of any facility where people under 19 years old gather, such as parks, childcare centres, schools and recreation centres. Melissa Burke, owner of Kidz Kompany Childcare Group, is concerned a dispensary could be opening next to her Terminal Avenue location. While there are legitimate reasons for medicinal marijuana, some are accessing dispensaries illegitimately, Burke said. [continues 303 words]
OTTAWA - With apologies to The Who, the kids may not be all right with this. A series of 24 focus groups on perceptions of marijuana legalization commissioned by the federal Liberal government found that the youngest teenaged participants were the most cautious about the policy shift. The government has been laying the groundwork for months on a major public education and awareness campaign that will accompany the looming legalization of recreational marijuana. Health Canada commissioned a series of focus group surveys last June to plumb public perceptions around legalized cannabis, including the health impacts and attitudes to drug-impaired driving. [continues 427 words]
With apologies to The Who, the kids may not be alright with this. A series of 24 focus groups on perceptions of marijuana legalization commissioned by the federal Liberal government found that the youngest teenaged participants were the most cautious about the policy shift. The government has been laying the groundwork for months on a major public education and awareness campaign that will accompany the looming legalization of recreational marijuana. Health Canada commissioned a series of focus group surveys last June to plumb public perceptions around legalized cannabis, including the health impacts and attitudes to drug-impaired driving. [continues 291 words]
I was unavailable to attend and speak to the evening council session Agenda 14.3, on "Temporary use permits for marijuana dispensaries." However, I am somewhat astonished. After reviewing this matter on the City of Penticton video I will be addressing this with Blake Laven, if he is available. It is even admitted and stated by city staff and a couple of councillors that a Federal Law currently exists and a court challenge could overturn this council's decision. The City of Penticton cannot legally overrule a federal law. Municipal law is at the bottom of the ladder, not the top. Penticton residents are advised that we have a large deficit in our city infrastructure, but yet we are wasting monies and staff time on an illegal issue. [continues 173 words]
How Canada's legalization of marijuana could change relations with the U.S. VANCOUVER - Their position on marijuana is hardly the only difference between Canada's prime minister and the president-elect of the United States. But when Justin Trudeau's government introduces legislation to legalize cannabis this spring, it could spark problems between Canada and the U.S., particularly since Donald Trump has indicated he will keep pot illegal at the federal level. Here's a look at what could change in Canada-U.S. relations once Canadians start lighting up legally. [continues 840 words]
Just when I thought I heard it all now this. Whoopteedoo - overdose prevention site opening in Kelowna Tuesday to Saturday, from noon to 7.30 p.m. The site will be open seven and a half hours, five days a week allowing drug addicts near by the choice of where and when help is available to reverse their sickly crawl toward death after a shoot up? Any user outside of the area please phone 911 and make an appointment. My question is, where do many of these people that shoot the needle instead of the breeze get the money to obtain the killer drug fentanyl and all that other stuff? [continues 110 words]
Cold weather has meant more B.C. illicit drug users overdose alone at home, in public washroom stalls or on deserted streets, pushing B.C.'s highest-ever drug death total to new heights. The isolation of drug users, and the likely introduction of even more lethal synthetic opioids into the street drug supply, contributed to 128 B.C. overdose deaths in November, provincial health officials said Monday. That brings the total deaths in B.C. to 755 for the year, up 70 per cent from last year, with little relief in sight for December. [continues 170 words]
Homicides, shooting linked to groups bringing drugs, guns into Regina Police believe at least two Regina homicides and a shooting in a crowded restaurant are among the fallout from an increasingly violent threat posed by outsiders bringing guns and drugs into the city. The Mounties and Regina Police Service joined forces to roll out the unwelcome mat for the unwanted guests, recently concluding a 90-day project targeting drug trafficking as well as the weapons and shootings that accompany the trade. What it revealed is that many of the 60 people arrested on 443 charges, including trafficking, possession of stolen property, and multiple weapons offences, aren't from here. They dropped in from locales such as Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Fort McMurray and Toronto. [continues 526 words]
For the past few days I have been listening to, and reading about the 80 recommendations made by the marijuana legalization task force, headed up by Anne McMillan, a former Liberal justice minister. Some of the recommendations include: an age for purchase restriction of not less than 18 (not 21 as recommended by the Canadian Medical Association); separate storefronts for tobacco, alcohol and pot because, according to the committee, one addiction leads to another; two separate bureaucracies for medical and recreational use; and money is to be earmarked to fight addiction, underage use and for harm-reduction strategies. [continues 93 words]
The public is being asked what should be the legal age to buy marijuana? This is a joke right? Is this an unstoppable bus? Just wondering if Premier Rachel Notley has consulted any recovering addicts? They are all screaming at their TVs, "Don't legalize it!" My question is, "Who is going to pay for the aftermath? Is the government prepared to open and run more treatment centres? You must know that weed is not just weed anymore. It is being laced with the deadly drug fentanyl. [continues 110 words]
Inside Canada
