Colorado Raking in Taxes From Legalized Weed A pall hangs over Denver, Colorado. Lawlessness stalks its streets, while stupefied potheads loll on every corner, stoned senseless on legal weed. Well, actually, no, it's not really like that at all. Really, it's just another day. Denver's like any other big American city: on the 16th Street Mall, there are vagrants on the corners, Broncos and Patriots fans spooling around while they wait for the start of the AFC final later in the day. Coffee shops are setting out chairs in the unseasonable warmth, and a robot street performer, painted entirely silver, is making plans with friends for after the game. [continues 509 words]
A pall hangs over Denver, Colorado. Lawlessness stalks its streets, while stupefied potheads loll on every corner, stoned senseless on legal weed. Well, actually, no, it's not really like that at all. Really, it's just another day. Denver's like any other big American city: on the 16th Street Mall, there are vagrants on the corners, Broncos and Patriots fans spooling around while they wait for the start of the AFC final later in the day. Coffee shops are setting out chairs in the unseasonable warmth, and a robot street performer, painted entirely silver, is making plans with friends for after the game. [continues 510 words]
Lawyers Want to Know If Informant Used by Cops Was Also Involved in Their Case A probe into alleged criminal wrongdoing by Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) senior managers in connection with the use of an informant could affect a major drug case in this province. Lawyers representing three men facing trafficking charges want to know if the informant used by police in their case was the same person who is at the heart of the investigation into RNC senior managers. "We are not proceeding until we know if the source is the same source that's been (spotlighted) in the media," defence lawyer Randy Piercey said Monday when the drug case was called in Newfoundland Supreme Court in St. John's. [continues 619 words]
In British Columbia recently, the provincial government was told liquor store employees wanted to be the ones to sell legalized marijuana, should that legalization occur. (It was a federal Liberal election promise.) Their argument? "We believe this is an incredible opportunity for British Columbia," Stephanie Smith, president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union, said at a press conference. "We have an excellent track record for distributing and retailing alcohol." That track record, they argue, includes the responsible sale of alcohol. Interesting point. But despite all that responsibility at the point of sale, as a nation, we don't always do so well with personal responsibility. [continues 464 words]
In British Columbia this past week, the provincial government was told liquor store employees wanted to be the ones to sell legalized marijuana, should that legalization occur. (It was a federal Liberal election promise.) Their argument? "We believe this is an incredible opportunity for British Columbia," Stephanie Smith, president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union, said at a press conference. "We have an excellent track record for distributing and retailing alcohol." That track record, they argue, includes the responsible sale of alcohol. Interesting point. But despite all that responsibility at the point of sale, as a nation, we don't always do so well with personal responsibility. [continues 463 words]
Family, Friends Hope Death of Ron Hynes Draws Attention to Drug Addiction The death of one of Newfoundland's most beloved musicians should serve as a wake-up call to the worsening scourge of drug addiction in the province, say friends and family members who watched the artist struggle for years with the disease. Ron Hynes died at age 64 last week in St. John's following a return of cancer that was first diagnosed in 2012 and which recently spread to his lung and hip. [continues 561 words]
Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program Gives Kids the Tools to Make Healthy Decisions Gone are the days of preaching to children not to do drugs. Now when the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary presents the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program to students, the idea is to give them the tools necessary to take control and make healthy decisions. The key to doing that is keeping it real, said Const. Scott Mosher. Mosher, the RNC's media relations and community liaison officer, was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Corner Brook's weekly luncheon at the Glynmill Inn on Thursday. [continues 582 words]
Family Members of Addicts Tired of Being Blamed Note: Personal details have been changed to protect the identities of the families involved. Drug abuse affects many people, and not always as users. Whether you find prescription pills in your son's backpack or a baggie of cocaine in your sister's pocket, you are going through something many others are also experiencing. The hardest step for those who witness drug abuse in their family in the Trinity Conception region is walking through the front door of the U-Turn addictions centre in Carbonear for the first time to seek help, said Kerri, a relative of a drug addict. [continues 625 words]
Desperate mom trying to get son, 15, into addiction rehab program What do you argue with your 15-year-old about? Grades? Curfew? Dating? Mary would love to have your problems. She spends nights wondering where her 15-year-old is staying and how much cocaine, alcohol and marijuana he has going through his system. "I'm at my wit's end. I don't know what to do or who to call," she says. Mary - not her real name - says she's learning a hard lesson about what it's like to have a teen addicted to drugs and hellbent on living life whichever way he chooses. There may be help out there for a teenager who is willing to accept it, but it's a different story when you're trying to reel in one who is pulling further and further away, it seems. Mary feels like she has no rights as a mother. Instead of watching her boy grow up, she's watching him go down. [continues 441 words]
Mother of 17-year-old drug addict discusses problems with system * Names have been changed to protect the identity of the youth and his family. * This story deals with graphic subject matter and may not be suitable for all readers. It's a mother's worst nightmare, getting the call saying her child was severely injured, or worse, dead. That is what Cathy experienced earlier this month when her teenage son called her unexpectedly. "I knew something wasn't right because my phone was vibrating differently, not like a text message," Cathy told The Compass at her home last week. "It was Steven. He said, 'Mom I'm in trouble. I tried to off myself.'" [continues 969 words]
Paul Roche was a young constable 26 years ago when he first patrolled the streets of St. John's. A typical shift during those early years with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary might consist of a call of a domestic disturbance, an impaired driver, petty theft or simple possession of marijuana. In most cases, he and his partner could talk things through with the offenders, avoid the use of force and then lay charges without incident. At the end of the day, he'd go back to his desk to fill out the paperwork. [continues 792 words]
A veteran cop's perspective on how offences, policing have shifted over the years Paul Roche was a young constable 26 years ago when he first patrolled the streets of St. John's. A typical shift during those early years with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary might consist of a call of a domestic disturbance, an impaired driver, petty theft or simple possession of marijuana. In most cases, he and his partner could talk things through with the offenders, avoid the use of force and then lay charges without incident. [continues 795 words]
Founder says doctors who refuse to prescribe cannabis contribute to crime Fabian Henry hasn't been able to find a single doctor in Newfoundland and Labrador who will prescribe medical marijuana - the drug that saved his life. Henry is the founder Marijuana For Trauma (MFT), a veteran-owned and - -operated company that helps veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) find relief with cannabinoid therapy. MFT recently expanded into Newfoundland, opening a clinic on Peet Street in St. John's in May. But so far, he said, the group has had to rely on a clinic in Barrie, Ont., to help clients obtain prescriptions. [continues 871 words]
Founder Says Doctors WHO Refuse to Prescribe Cannabis Contribute to Crime Fabian Henry hasn't been able to find a single doctor in Newfoundland and Labrador who will prescribe medical marijuana - the drug that saved his life. Henry is the founder Marijuana For Trauma (MFT), a veteran-owned and - -operated company that helps veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) find relief with cannabinoid therapy. MFT recently expanded into Newfoundland, opening a clinic on Peet Street in St. John's in May. But so far, he said, the group has had to rely on a clinic in Barrie, Ont., to help clients obtain prescriptions. [continues 515 words]
Charges laid after RNC-RCMP team seizes cocaine, marijuana, MDMA and shatter Among a huge amount of illegal drugs seized last week in St. John's by a joint RNC-RCMP drug team is a drug known as "shatter," a derivative of marijuana, but much more toxic. It is believed to be the first significant seizure of shatter in the province and police are warning of the potential dangers of its use. One man has been charged thus far in the operation, known as "Project Titan" by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-NL). [continues 498 words]
Yes, the crime was always here. The murders, the forcible confinement, the drugs, the abductions. But can anyone really argue the frequency hasn't changed? That we, as a province, are not seeing more of it more often? Over the weekend in St. John's there was a six hour standoff with police. Jason Power, a 40-year-old Newfoundland man, is being accused of a few charges as a result, including having a knife for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, threatening to cause death or bodily harm to a member of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and breaching his probation. [continues 272 words]
Bishop's Falls council determines program unnecessary After reviewing the pros and cons, Bishop's Falls council won't be instituting a drug and alcohol-testing program for employees. "It was just a discussion we held about whether we should we be doing testing like some companies do," said Mayor Bob Hobbs when asked about the decision made at the March council meeting. "It's the Alberta syndrome. All the people that go away are tested and we discussed whether we needed it for the protection of our workers. We did look at and for a whole bunch of reasons it didn't make sense." [continues 130 words]
On Aug. 4, 2011, two men were handcuffed and made to sit on a rock alongside the highway for an hour and a half while RCMP officers searched their rental vehicle based on a suspicion there may be drugs inside. The reasons for the officer's suspicions were this: The two men had fishing gear, but limited knowledge of Newfoundland and Labrador's fishing practices; the car was rented in a third party's name; they were travelling from Ontario, a supposed known source for drug importation; contents inside the car indicated the men's trip was for a longer time than they had indicated to the officer; and the presence of hand sanitizer, sometimes used to mask drug scents. [continues 342 words]
Supreme Court Justice Admonishes RCMP for Handling of Roadside Drug Bust Four months after being involved in a court decision that took note of how the police had violated a man's Charter rights during a drug bust, one of the officers breached the rights of two more men in a similar roadside investigation. This time, though, it is likely the case will be tossed out of court. Const. Leon Sheppard of the RCMP Traffic Services West was one of two officers who pulled over Philip Jordy Blanchard in 2008. [continues 683 words]
A St. John's man who is convinced marijuana oil cured his cancer is still hoping to convince health authorities to do informal clinical trials. In 2013 and 2014, The Telegram told the story of Paul Morrissey, now 66, who credits marijuana oil treatment with putting him on the mend from prostate cancer. Since then, Morrissey has abandoned medical treatment and said the response he got from some specialists was off putting. "I didn't feel much support at any stage for the marijuana oil and its potential," Morrissey said Tuesday, adding he feels good physically. [continues 287 words]
CORNER BROOK Two Quebec men who had successfully argued their Charter rights had been violated during a traffic stop were acquitted of the drug charges against them in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in Corner Brook Monday. Sylvain Charbonneau, 59, and Jean Dessailliers, 44, had each been charged with four offences, namely two counts apiece of trafficking in marijuana and cannabis resin and two counts of possessing of illegal drugs for the purposes of trafficking. They were charged following an RCMP traffic stop west of Corner Brook in the fall of 2011. A subsequent search of the car they were in led to the seizure of 26 kilograms of marijuana and a kilogram of hashish. [continues 130 words]
Harper's Approach To Crime Is Tough On Human Lives Despite falling crime rates across the country, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been pushing a "tough on crime" agenda since the last election. This was most poignantly emphasized in his government's omnibus crime bill, the Safe Streets and Communities Act. This sweet-sounding bill packed a lot of punches: minimum and extended sentences for drug convictions, the potential to charge youth with adult sentences, a shift toward prison sentences over house arrest, and the denial of work visas to people considered vulnerable to crime. [continues 535 words]
A Supreme Court justice has thrown out evidence from a traffic stop in the case against two Quebec men charged with drug offences in the fall of 2011. Justice Laura Mennie granted the application to exclude evidence from the Oct. 24, 2011 traffic stop that led to the charges of two counts each of trafficking in marijuana and cannabis resin and two counts each of possession of illegal drugs for the purposes of trafficking against Sylvain Charbonneau, 59, and Jean Dessailliers, 44. [continues 537 words]
Canadian Safety Council raising awareness of the dangers of driving while impaired by drugs The Canadian Safety Council is concerned that not enough people are aware of the serious consequences of driving while impaired by drugs. The organization said in a news release that the focus, traditionally, has been on alcohol-impaired crashes, while fatalities linked to the use of drugs tend to fly under the radar. A report from the safety council says statistics show that testing done on drivers who died in crashes found 33 per cent showed signs of drug impairment. [continues 83 words]
Derek Montague could have ruined himself. In the three months he's been waiting for gambling addiction treatment, he could have dug a financial hole of which there'd be no way out. "In that span of time, I've done more damage to myself," he admits. "I've gambled during that period of time." Full disclosure: Derek works with TC Media and reports indirectly to me. He's a fine journalist with The Labradorian newspaper in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. [continues 420 words]
Colorado has done it, so why can't we? Why can't we take one foreign state's measures and enact them federally in Canada. After all, marijuana legalisation in Colorado doesn't seem to have created any great waves. I'm sure when the prohibition on alcohol ended, we didn't have a rash of drunk drivers and alcoholics either. It takes time for the effects of measures like this to be seen. Yes, there are some immediate effects - such as an increase in tax revenues. But when it comes to other effects, studies are split. Some say Colorado teens are less likely now than before legalisation to be smoking marijuana. But other studies show that not only are they more likely to partake, they are also less likely to consider marijuana a harmful drug. [continues 687 words]
But Federal Law Hinders Boy's Access To The Extract He Needs To Control Seizures Mandy McKnight secretly cries, often while driving alone. The car, she suggests, gives her an opportunity to reflect, to imagine a life where her six-year-old boy didn't have prolonged seizures, to wonder what the future will bring for a child at constant risk of injury, to wonder if this continuing state of emergency will last forever. "You're always anxious. You're always waiting, You never relax," says Mandy, who is from Torbay, but lives in Ottawa. "You're always anticipating a seizure, no matter what. ... You're constantly on edge." [continues 954 words]
It was a night Vera Rice would rather forget. The cancer survivor, now in her 60s, was pulled over by police heading home to Seal Cove from treatment at the hospital in Baie Verte and brought to the RCMP detachment in Deer Lake for drug testing. Rice is now cancer-free. But the weak bones and treatment from years gone by have also left her with infections. A few years ago she underwent treatment for a serious infection that had gotten into her bones, and in recent weeks, the same type of infection has returned. [continues 871 words]
Peter MacKay would have Canadians believe that the job of keeping drugs out of the hands of children is best left to drug cartels. Right now kids have no trouble accessing illegal marijuana. It's easier for kids to buy pot than beer. That's because illegal drug dealers don't ID for age. Taxing and regulating marijuana will restrict youth access to drugs. More important, legalization will close the "gateway" to hard drugs by taking marijuana distribution out of the hands of criminals that sell meth and heroin. [continues 86 words]
Peter MacKay is the luckiest man in the world. He is the undisputed poster boy for lying, deceitful politicians, but never seems to pay a price for it. One can only assume he earned this immunity with his first big lie, his promise to fellow Progressive Conservative leadership candidate David Orchard in 2003 not to negotiate a merger with Stephen Harper's Canadian Alliance Party. Ever since, he has sailed through a steady stream of prevarications and mistruths without earning even a timid rap on the knuckles. [continues 436 words]
Mothers Against Drunk Driving CEO Andrew Murie was in the lobby of Confederation Building Tuesday, with a mouth swab that he says can detect up to six different drugs in an impaired driver's system. Murie was in town for meetings, along with representatives from the Newfoundland and Labrador MADD organization, to talk about provincewide 911 and stepping up efforts to catch drunk drivers. "Newfoundland and Labrador has kind of fallen behind," he told reporters. "Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are a lot worse than Newfoundland and Labrador, but these are all preventable deaths and injuries, and there's more that can be done." [continues 331 words]
Weekly Narcotics Anonymous meeting being offered at Burin hospital Stacey Johnson (not her real name) was in her mid-20s when she decided to attend a Narcotics Anonymous meeting for the first time. "I remember exactly what I was wearing, and I remember exactly where I sat, and I was just waiting, trying to find the differences, any reason for me not to feel like I was part of this group," she told The Southern Gazette last week. She stuck around for about two months but said ultimately she "just wasn't sick enough." [continues 801 words]
Grand Falls-Windsor Facility To Take First Patients In June With the new youth treatment centre in Grand Falls-Windsor getting ready to open its doors, Health and Community Services Minister Susan Sullivan was in town Monday to tour the $12.5 million facility and see what it will offer. Divided up into three pods with four bedrooms each, the centre will be able to treat 12 youth at a time. The facility is equipped with several observation and examination rooms as well as bedrooms, kitchen areas, a gymnasium, workout room, art room, and classrooms. [continues 850 words]
Numbers Up More Than 50 Per Cent Demand for the Aids Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador's needle-exchange program has increased considerably in the past two years, says its executive director. "We are looking at a 50-60 per cent increase in two years," Gerard Yetman said. "The program is not feasible as it is right now. "The present program is not meeting the demand." In 2011-12, the program distributed nearly 180,000 clean needles, but numbers have surpassed twice that amount, in part because it's become provincial. [continues 349 words]
While 'Bootlegging' Is Still on the Radar, Illegal Drug Trade Now More of a Problem It's been about a year since a shift in the RCMP at the federal policing level came into effect. Before Apr. 1, 2013, federal units were identified and assigned to specific areas of mandate - customs and excise, drug enforcement or some other specialization. Now, however, serious organized crime, in general, is the target, irrespective of the commodity. For the Burin-based unit, in addition to how the it does business, the shift meant a name change from Customs and Excise to Federal Policing Operations West. [continues 333 words]
Burin Peninsula District RCMP Staff Sergeant Wayne Edgecombe said 'youth involvement in crime' has been added as a divisional priority for the upcoming year. Invited to meet with the Burin Peninsula Joint Town Council Wednesday evening, he acknowledged that doesn't necessarily mean just dealing with youths who have run afoul of the law, but also involves targeting how crime affects young people. He explained in that regard, drugs and youth will be a big part of the annual policing plan. [continues 543 words]
An editorial from the Prince George Citizen, published March 7: It's comical to watch the federal Conservatives trip over themselves when it comes to their stance on marijuana. On Wednesday, Tom (not his real name), a 65-year-old Prince George man who has been growing his own pot for medical purposes for the past three years, said he will follow the law on April 1 if the government goes ahead with its plans to take away his licence. He won't, however, turn to government-approved operators that produce a more expensive and less potent legal medical marijuana, he says. He'll just go to a street supplier to satisfy his needs. [continues 581 words]
A St. John's man suffering from prostate cancer that had metastasized is crediting marijuana oil treatment with putting him on the mend. "It makes me feel 20 years younger, that's what the marijuana oil does," said Paul Morrissey, adding he shovelled snow for three hours during the recent blizzard and blackout with no problems. "There was pretty ferocious wind and snow. I came out of it looking like a walking popsicle. However after all that work and so forth I was in excellent condition. Even without cancer, I wouldn't suspect I'd last that long or do that well." [continues 661 words]
ST. JOHN'S - A St. John's man suffering from prostate cancer that had metastasized is crediting marijuana oil treatment with putting him on the mend. "It makes me feel 20 years younger, that's what the marijuana oil does," said Paul Morrissey, adding he shovelled snow for three hours during the recent blizzard and blackout with no problems. Morrissey's prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood levels have improved dramatically and there has been some regression in his lymph nodes and abdomen, said his family physician, Dr. Randy Hart, who was given permission to speak about his patient's case. Hart can't say if the unorthodox treatment helped. [continues 458 words]
A new draft policy on drug and alcohol abuse for the City of St. John's takes its cue from oil sands companies. Kevin Breen, the city's director of human resources, presented the draft policy to the city's finance and administration standing committee meeting Tuesday afternoon, saying the new policy is the result of requests from managers looking for more guidance on how to handle employees who abuse drugs and alcohol in the workplace. "We do encounter it," said Breen. "But a lot of supervisors are not really confident in knowing what to do in these situations." So this gets into really good detail, and there will be a full training program with this policy as well." [continues 345 words]
In the months since Rob Ford's political troubles became the most over-reported story of the year, a Washington, D.C., sports talk radio show called "The Sports Junkies" has become the source of some of the Toronto mayor's most candid opinions on current events and politics. After being stripped of most of his mayoral duties last November, Ford began making regular appearances on the show. While on the air last week, he voiced his views on the potential for government revenue through decriminalizing marijuana. [continues 589 words]
According to a 2012 Atlantic Student Drug Use Survey of junior and high school students, almost half of the students surveyed in Newfoundland and Labrador had not used any substances in the previous year, a significant improvement from past survey results. The findings from this survey will be used to inform policies, programs and future campaigns, and will help to identify important opportunities to create awareness and promote prevention of substance use among youth. "The survey results provide valuable insights into the behaviour of youth, and although there are some encouraging trends, it is imperative that we work with parents, schools and students, in particular, to create awareness of the pitfalls of substance use," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services. [continues 213 words]
Student Drug Use Survey Results Are Out for First Time Since 2007 The Student Drug Use Survey is completed irregularly, roughly once every three or four years, and is meant to provide a snapshot view of alcohol use, drug use and high-risk activities by young people in the province. The latest results were released Wednesday by the provincial government and show a lower overall number of students who - presented with questions with the promise of anonymity - said they used any illegal substances in the year prior to the survey. [continues 606 words]
Panel denies Crown's application to have $6,500 held until drug case appeal The Crown's attempt to allow police to keep money and the passport of a British Columbia man who had been arrested on drug charges has been denied. In a decision handed down recently in St. John's, the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal has ordered that police give back all Julian Strongitharm's property, including his wallet, passport and $6,500, which had been seized from his knapsack. [continues 360 words]
Earlier this month, the federal government indicated it would be stepping up security on the VIA rail system, in the wake of bomb plot earlier this year. Now, anyone who wants to travel on VIA Rail, will be subject to security checks equivalent to the standard at any major airport in Canada. Since we're on the subject of national security, it's time for the Canadian government to also review other transportation systems where security is lacking, or non-existent; such as the Marine Atlantic ferries. [continues 350 words]
Earlier this month, the federal government said it would be stepping up security on the VIA rail system, in the wake of bomb plot earlier this year. Now, anyone who wants to travel on VIA Rail, will be subject to security checks equivalent to that at Canada's major airports. Since we're on the subject of national security, it's time for the Canadian government to review other transportation systems where security is lacking, or non-existent; such as Marine Atlantic ferries. [continues 550 words]
Last week, the federal government indicated it would be stepping up security on the VIA rail system, in the wake of bomb plot earlier this year. Now, anyone who wants to travel on VIA Rail, will be subject to security checks equivalent to the standard at any major airport in Canada. Since we're on the subject of national security, it's time for the Canadian government to also review other transportation systems where security is lacking, or non-existent; such as the Marine Atlantic ferries. [continues 649 words]
Earlier this week, the federal government indicated it would be stepping up security on the VIA rail system, in the wake of bomb plot earlier this year. Now, anyone who wants to travel on VIA Rail, will be subject to security checks equivalent to the standard at any major airport in Canada. Since we're on the subject of national security, it's time for the Canadian government to also review other transportation systems where security is lacking, or non-existent; such as the Marine Atlantic ferries. [continues 651 words]
An editorial from the Hamilton Spectator, published July 29: Is Justin Trudeau going to far too fast by embracing the legalization, taxation and regulation of marijuana? On one level, no, because his party adopted legalization back in 2012. Trudeau was skeptical at the time, preferring to take the incremental step of decriminalization. Recently, he changed his mind, saying he has given the matter much thought and attention, and now favours legalization. Don't panic. What he actually said was: "a I realized that going the road of legalization is actually a responsible thing to look at and do." That's a recognition of the fact that not only does Trudeau first need to get an electoral mandate, but also that there would be numerous challenges to overcome before outright legalization could be accomplished. We're talking years. Trudeau also knows legalization will be a killer campaign issue in conservative strongholds. [continues 326 words]
Sources Say Supreme Court Ruling Not an Issue for Local Operators For the most part, workers at offshore oil installations and those busy building the Hebron gravity based structure at the Bull Arm fabrication site are not being subjected to random drug and alcohol testing. The Telegram asked about the issue in response to a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling. The ruling was in relation to a dispute between Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Local 30 and Irving Pulp and Paper Ltd. and spoke specifically to previous decisions in the case from arbitrators and the lower courts. [continues 641 words]
Inside Newfoundland
