Lots for Governments to Ponder on the Road to Marijuana Legalization 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. Right across the country, provincial courts strain to deal with drinking and driving cases - and that's despite the fact the courts are only dealing with those who don't plead guilty quickly. Police news releases across the country are equally filled with drunk-driving charges.! There seem to be plenty of people committing an offence that we are all supposed to realize is both stupid, criminal and potentially fatal. [continues 394 words]
It's a question I often hear on World AIDS Day (December 1), when much of our attention turns to the global HIV epidemic. Many of us think of HIV/AIDS as an issue affecting other countries. But an HIV epidemic in Canada? More than 70,000 Canadians are living with HIV and on average seven to eight new infections happen every day. While these numbers are concerning, Canada's overall rate of new infections is still lower than the global average. What these numbers don't show, however, is that HIV has reached epidemic levels in key populations across the country. [continues 554 words]
As the dust settles following the recent Liberal election win, Canadians are anxious to see what changes lay in store. There are many polarizing issues on the table, and the pending legalization of marijuana is certainly one of them. Many think it is about time marijuana became legal, while others believe it will inevitably lead to extremely negative consequences, especially for our youth. Differing opinions are to be expected, and are in fact essential to effective discussions; as long as each party is relatively up to date with factual information, and not basing their opinions on outdated, morally charged and misinformed assumptions. To not agree with the potential legalization of marijuana is therefore perfectly reasonable, but only so long as people are accurately informed. [continues 177 words]
Mother always wonders what might have saved her son Petra Schulz is always wondering what might have saved her son. "Every day, every day,'' she says. "When a parent loses a child, there is a lot of blame attached because we are supposed to raise them, launch them.'' Much of the search into what could have been done differently, Schulz concedes, is futile. So there needs to be constructive focus. That is what "mumsDO", short for mums united and mandated to saving the lives of Drug Users, tries to do. The mothers, who have lost sons and daughters to overdose and other drugrelated harms, are determined to advance dialogue on harm reduction for substance users. [continues 397 words]
The "war on drugs" was intended to reduce psychoactive drug use. Its specific aim was to inhibit and destroy the international illicit drug trade - making drugs scarcer and costlier, and therefore making drug habits unaffordable. The data show just the opposite has occurred. Illicit drugs are more affordable and more readily available than ever. Criminologists generally agree that prohibition has had some downward effect on the supply and use of illicit drugs. The real question is whether it's been worth the effort, as we are left with a strained criminal justice system and a proliferation of drug-related violence. If the drug war has failed to significantly reduce drug production, use and trafficking then perhaps it doesn't justify the cost. [continues 459 words]
There must be a better way to manage serious problem of drug abuse, addiction The war on drugs was intended to reduce psychoactive drug use. It's specific aim was to inhibit and destroy the international illicit drug trade - making drugs scarcer and costlier, and therefore making drug habits unaffordable. The data show just the opposite has occurred. Illicit drugs are more affordable and more readily available than ever. Criminologists generally agree that prohibition has had some downward effect on the supply and use of illicit drugs. The real question is whether it's been worth the effort, as we are left with a strained criminal justice system and a proliferation of drug-related violence. If the drug war has failed to significantly reduce drug production, use and trafficking then perhaps it doesn't justify the cost. [continues 457 words]
Stephen Harper and Ron Jenkins believe that marijuana use is infinitely more dangerous than tobacco use. I wonder how they arrived at that conclusion? According to the World Health Organization, tobacco products are consumed by 1.3 billion people around the world and are directly responsible for 8.8 per cent of the deaths in the world while causing four per cent of total years of life lost. There are 147 million world marijuana users, out of 185 million illicit drug users. Illicit drugs cause 0.4 per cent of deaths in the world and are responsible for 0.8 per cent of years of life lost. Nicotine is the most highly addictive drug in the world (32 per cent addiction liability) while marijuana has an estimated nine per cent addiction potential. What is the argument for marijuana being infinitely more dangerous than tobacco? Des Colohan, MD, Charlottetown [end]
Lloyd Atkin's "Drug dealers to vote Tory" the Guardian Oct. 5, 2015 is one reason why I will vote for Stephen Harper, because marijuana is infinitely worse than tobacco. I do not want my grand children and great grand children having easy access to the drug. Harper does not take a pro-choice stand and I do not believe in killing babies like the Liberals have forced their members to support. World wide, most countries are bankrupt and they just do not realize it yet. Harper is the man to navigate our financial woes. [continues 82 words]
Recently Stephen Harper reiterated, in his typical supercilious manner, that marijuana would never be legalized by his government because it is - according to him - 'infinitely worse' than tobacco. In Harper's mind everything must be categorized as either 'good' or 'evil' and then exploited for political gain. How does his holier-than-thou stance on the pervasive use of pot address the associated problems? Why doesn't he take another step into his ideological fantasy world and try to reduce the number of unplanned teenage pregnancies by making pre-marital sex illegal? [continues 58 words]
Court Hears Circumstantial Evidence in City Drug Case Undercover police officers told a court they saw a man walk into a safe-house in Charlottetown with a plastic bag, then leave without it, but is that enough for a drug conviction? It is one question facing provincial court judge Nancy Orr in a drug trial that forms part of Project Lurid which began in 2012. A drug raid on Feb. 13, 2014 resulted in the arrest of nine people from the Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Quebec. [continues 336 words]
Doctors owe it to Islanders to become informed about medical marijuana Recently, Dr. Des Colohan, retired pain-specialist, opined in this newspaper the "dangers" associated with using cannabis. He summed up his opinion on cannabis with the quote: "In my experience, the therapeutic value of cannabis in managing chronic pain is limited by its adverse effects. We still have a lot to learn about the appropriate clinical use of 'medical marijuana' and should not be in a hurry to jump on this bandwagon." [continues 436 words]
A recent front-page headline in the Guardian was sure to get the attention of the many Islanders suffering from acute and chronic pain. It reported on a conference on medical marijuana held in Charlottetown. The keynote speaker delivered a sincere endorsement of cannabis in helping him manage his chronic back pain and symptoms of multiple sclerosis. He recommended that physicians use cannabis as a first line drug to treat pain. He implied that many physicians are ignorant of the benefits of cannabis and need to be encouraged to "get with the program." [continues 650 words]
Medicinal Marijuana Conference Provides Information on Access to Drug When Marcel Gignac broke his back in 1985 doctors told him he would suffer chronic pain for the rest of his life. For years, the Nova Scotia resident would experience inflammation, which would pinch a nerve to the point of extreme pain. "It would knock me off my feet, and that would be on a regular basis," said Gignac, who hasn't experienced any back pain for the past six years. "I haven't really felt my back since 2009. It hasn't been an issue for me because I've basically ingested enough cannabis to counteract that pain." [continues 486 words]
One of North America's leading experts on pain management is in Charlottetown. Dr. Mary Lynch will be speaking at the Canadian Pain Society's annual scientific meeting about alternative therapies - everything from art therapy to cannabinoids. There are hundreds of natural components found within a cannabis plant. Some of those have been classified as cannabinoids, chemicals unique to the plant. Lynch said one of the more well known and researched is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a substance primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. [continues 348 words]
Leading Expert in Charlottetown to Address Canadian Pain Society's Annual Scientific Conference One of North America's leading experts on pain management is in Charlottetown. Dr. Mary Lynch will be speaking at the Canadian Pain Society's annual scientific meeting about alternative therapies - everything from art therapy to cannabinoids. There are hundreds of natural components found within a cannabis plant. Some of those have been classified as cannabinoids, chemicals unique to the plant. Lynch said one of the more well known and researched is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a substance primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. [continues 281 words]
When the RCMP searched a Charlottetown home last month they found a drug that's new to P.E.I. It's called budder and is a concentrated form of cannabis resin. RCMP Const. Scott Mintie said it's something the police are starting to hear about in P.E.I. "It's a concern, just because of the potency of it," he said. Budder is produced by grinding marijuana and extracting tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from it using a solvent. The finished product is a brown paste. [continues 84 words]
Major societal problem will always be with us It would appear that the author of a recent letter to the editor "Safe injection sites or safe streets" does not understand that addiction, like diabetes, chronic lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis and many other health problems is a chronic brain disease, not a moral failing. Until we are exorcized of our long-standing puritanical notion that "they" are addicted because they lack self-control, we will never be able to help addicted persons regain control of their lives, return to sobriety, minimize their relapses into active addiction and get back their selfesteem. [continues 417 words]
I will resist the temptation to return fire on Nancy Driscoll's letter on safe injection sites and follow Premier MacLauchlan's lead and call on my better nature. I will, however, address the inaccuracies in Ms. Driscoll's letter. Liberals believe in evidencebased policy and programs that prevent crimes and reduce harm. Safe injection sites decrease the risk of death and disease for those living with addiction and mental illness. They form an integral part of a broader, evidence-based national drug policy that promotes public health and decreases crime and public nuisance. The Conservatives' answer to creating safer streets is mandatory minimum prison sentences. There is no evidence that this works - in fact, there is strong evidence to the contrary. [continues 185 words]
It's saddening to once again see the serious issue of addiction on P.E.I. being used as a political football to divide the community around critical services for people with drug problems. (Letter to ED April 9, "Safe Injection Site or Safe Streets?"). As someone who spends a lot of time on P.E.I., I know many who are working hard to improve the addiction services on the Island. Indeed, Islanders and people across Canada understand that addiction is a health issue that should be addressed through comprehensive health responses. [continues 174 words]
Charlottetown city councillor Mitchell Tweel is not one to take no for an answer. His persistent lobbying for police officers in the two city senior high schools took a while but eventually paid off. Now Mr. Tweel is pushing for additional street patrol officers to address street drugs around inner city schools. There are consistent reports that drug dealers are brazenly lurking near playgrounds and school properties. The threat is a major worry for parents, school officials and our under-staffed and over-worked police department. [continues 76 words]
Inside Prince Edward Island
